Meaning and Usage
The word 肉 (にく) primarily means "meat" in Japanese. It refers to the flesh of animals used as food, commonly including beef, pork, chicken, and other meats. It is a basic noun frequently used in everyday conversation, especially when talking about food.
Common Collocations
- 肉を食べる (にくをたべる): to eat meat — a very common phrase used when discussing meals.
- 肉料理 (にくりょうり): meat dishes — used when referring to cooking or types of food.
- 牛肉 (ぎゅうにく): beef — a specific type of meat.
Usage Notes
肉 is a neutral term and can be used in both casual and polite contexts. When talking about specific types of meat, it is often combined with other kanji (e.g., 鶏肉 for chicken). Learners sometimes confuse 肉 with 魚 (さかな, fish), so it’s important to remember 肉 specifically means meat from land animals.
Common Mistakes
Avoid using 肉 to refer to fish or seafood, as those have different words. Also, when ordering food, specifying the type of meat (like 牛肉 or 豚肉) is common to avoid confusion.
Understanding 肉 well helps in daily conversations about food, shopping, and cooking.