Translation and Meaning of: 料 - ryou

The Japanese word 「料」 (ryou) is commonly used to indicate costs, fees, or materials and is an integral part of various expressions in the Japanese language. The etymology of the Kanji 「料」 traces back to its Chinese origin, where it is composed of the radicals 「斗」 (to, representing a measuring barrel) and 「米」 (kome, meaning rice). Historically, the kanji implied measures of rice as a form of payment or calculation of fees, reflecting an agrarian economy where rice was crucial.

In the modern context, 「料」 is widely used in compound words. Some of the most common combinations include 「材料」 (zairyou, materials), 「料理」 (ryouri, cuisine), and 「料金」 (ryoukin, fee). We note that many compounds involving 「料」 continue to reflect elements of calculation or quantity, aligning with its historical use in measurements. This connection to measurement persists, despite linguistic evolution and the varied contemporary applications of the kanji.

The kanji 「料」 also appears in various contexts, attaching itself to words to specify the nature or purpose of the charge. For example, in 「授業料」 (jugyouryou), the word translates as 'tuition', while in 「手数料」 (tesuuryou), it refers to 'service fee'. This adaptation of meaning showcases the flexibility of this kanji in Japanese linguistic operations, highlighting its relevance both historically and in everyday communication, where costs need to be clearly defined.

In terms of cultural and linguistic usage, 「料」 exemplifies how the historical roots of a symbol can persist even as society evolves. In modern Japan, where electronic cards and modern coins dominate the economy, the words associated with 「料」 still connect us back to a time when rice and precise measurements were the basis of economic exchanges. Therefore, by understanding 「料」 and its compounds, one gains a broader view not only of the language but also of historical cultural practices in Japan.

Vocabulary

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Synonyms and similar words

• 食材 (shokuzai) - Food ingredients, items used in meal preparation.
• 材料 (zairyou) - Materials, frequently used in construction or manufacturing contexts.
• 素材 (sozai) - Material refers to the basic substance used in crafts or production.
• 物質 (busshitsu) - Matter, physical substance in a scientific sense.
• 原料 (genryou) - Raw material, basic material used to produce finished products.

料

Romaji: ryou
Kana: りょう
Type: noun
L: jlpt-n1

Translation / Meaning: material; charge; rate; rate

Meaning in English: material;charge;rate;fee

Definition: 1. Price of goods and services, or the need to pay for them. 2. Ingredients needed to make food and beverages.

Example Sentences - (料) ryou

See below some example sentences:

この料理はとても美味しいです。

Kono ryōri wa totemo oishii desu

This food is very delicious.

This dish is very delicious.

• この - demonstrative pronoun that means "this" or "this here"
• 料理 - noun that means "cuisine" or "dish"
• は - topic particle that indicates the topic of the sentence
• とても - adverb meaning "very"
• 美味しい - adjective meaning "delicious"
• です - auxiliary verb that indicates the polite or formal form of discourse

この料理には水気が多すぎる。

Kono ryōri ni wa mizuke ga ōsugiru

This dish has a lot of water.

• この - demonstrative pronoun that means "this" or "this here"
• 料理 - noun that means "cuisine" or "dish"
• に - particle that indicates the action or state of something
• は - particle that indicates the topic of the sentence
• 水気 - Noun that means "humidity" or "water"
• が - particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• 多すぎる - Adjective that means "too much" or "excessive"

この料理は初めて試しました。

Kono ryōri wa hajimete tameshimashita

I tried this dish for the first time.

I tried this dish for the first time.

• この - demonstrative pronoun that means "this" or "this here"
• 料理 - noun that means "cuisine" or "dish"
• は - Particle indicating the topic of the sentence
• 初めて - adverb meaning "for the first time"
• 試しました - The verb in the past that means "I tried" or "I tasted"

この資料はとても役に立ちます。

Kono shiryou wa totemo yaku ni tachimasu

This information is very useful.

This material is very useful.

• この - demonstrative pronoun that means "this" or "this here"
• 資料 - noun meaning "material" or "document"
• は - topic particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• とても - adverb meaning "very"
• 役に立ちます - verb that means "to be useful" or "to serve a purpose"

この料理の香りはとてもいいですね。

Kono ryōri no kaori wa totemo ii desu ne

The perfume of this dish is very good.

• この - demonstrative pronoun that means "this"
• 料理 - noun that means "kitchen" or "culinary"
• の - particle that indicates possession or belonging
• 香り - noun that means "aroma" or "perfume"
• は - Particle indicating the topic of the sentence
• とても - adverb meaning "very"
• いい - adjective meaning "good"
• です - verb to be in the polite form
• ね - particle indicating a rhetorical question or confirmation

この料理は塩辛いです。

Kono ryouri wa shiokarai desu

This food is salty.

This dish is salty.

• この - demonstrative pronoun that means "this"
• 料理 - noun that means "cuisine" or "dish"
• は - particle that indicates the topic of the sentence
• 塩辛い - Adjective that means "salty" or "too salty"
• です - Verb "to be" in polite form

この料理にはたくさんの野菜が含まれています。

Kono ryōri ni wa takusan no yasai ga fukumarete imasu

In this dish there are many vegetables included.

This dish contains many vegetables.

• この料理 - This food
• には - have
• たくさんの - many
• 野菜 - vegetables
• が - are
• 含まれています - included

加味した料理は美味しいです。

Kami shita ryouri wa oishii desu

The dishes you add are delicious.

• 加味した (kamishita) - added flavor
• 料理 (ryouri) - dish, cuisine
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• 美味しい (oishii) - delicious
• です (desu) - Verb to be/estar in the present

原料は製品の品質に大きく影響します。

Genryō wa seihin no hinshitsu ni ōkiku eikyō shimasu

The subjects have a significant effect on product quality.

• 原料 - raw material
• は - Topic particle
• 製品 - product
• の - Possession particle
• 品質 - quality
• に - target particle
• 大きく - greatly
• 影響します - influence

味わい深い料理が好きです。

Ajwai fukai ryouri ga suki desu

I like dishes with deep flavors.

I like delicious food.

• 味わい深い - tasty and rich in flavor
• 料理 - cuisine
• が - subject particle
• 好き - like
• です - Verb to be/estar in the present