Translation and Meaning of: 弁当 - bentou

The word 「弁当」 (bentou) refers to an individually packed meal, common in the cuisine. This practice of preparing portable meals has existed for centuries and is deeply rooted in the culture and daily life of many people. In fact, the tradition of bentou has evolved and diversified over the years, incorporating distinct cultural and regional influences.

The etymology of the term 「弁当」 dates back to the Kamakura period (1185-1333), when the word was originally used to describe practical and simple meals. The kanji 「弁」 can be interpreted as "convenience" or "management", while 「当」 refers to "suitable" or "corresponding". Together, they capture the essence of a convenient meal that is appropriate to the needs of the consumer throughout the day. The popularization of bentou intensified during the Edo period (1603-1868), when people began to undertake longer journeys and needed portable food options.

In addition to the traditional homemade bentou, there are several variations of this concept, reflected in words like 「駅弁」 (ekiben), which refers to bentou sold at train stations. Another common variation is the 「キャラ弁」 (kyaraben), known for transforming food into decorative shapes, imitating characters or famous figures. This creativity adds an aesthetic dimension to the bentou, especially popular among children.

The tradition of bentō not only serves practicality but also incorporates cultural values such as aesthetics and health. The preparation of a bentō encourages the use of fresh and seasonal ingredients, thus promoting a balanced diet. Furthermore, the act of preparing and consuming bentō is seen as a way to express care and attention, whether for family members or for oneself.

Vocabulary

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Synonyms and similar words

• お弁当 (obentō) - Packaged meal, usually consisting of rice, fish or meat, and vegetables, common in Japan.
• 便當 (biàndàng) - Takeaway meal or food for travel, mainly used in Chinese contexts.

弁当

Romaji: bentou
Kana: べんとう
Type: noun
L: jlpt-n3

Translation / Meaning: lunch bag

Meaning in English: box lunch

Definition: A variety of dishes for carrying meals.

Example Sentences - (弁当) bentou

See below some example sentences:

昼はお弁当を食べます。

Hiru wa obento wo tabemasu

I like my lunch at a lunch box during the day.

I lunch during the day.

• 昼 (hiru) - noon
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• お弁当 (obentou) - packed lunch
• を (wo) - direct object particle
• 食べます (tabemasu) - eat

私は毎日弁当を持っています。

Watashi wa mainichi bentou wo motteimasu

I take a lunch box every day.

I lunch every day.

• 私 - signifies "I" in Japanese
• は - topic particle in Japanese, used to indicate the theme of the sentence
• 毎日 - means "every day" in Japanese
• 弁当 - means "lunchbox" in Japanese
• を - object particle in Japanese, used to indicate the direct object of the sentence
• 持っています - means "I have" in Japanese, being that 持って (motte) means "to carry" or "to have in hands" and います (imasu) is the polite form of the verb "to be" or "to be".