飯 — Meal, Cooked Rice, Food

Meaning

You will encounter the kanji 飯 daily across Japan. It primarily means 'cooked rice' or simply 'a meal.' Because rice is the bedrock of the Japanese diet, the words for 'rice' and 'meal' are often used interchangeably. This N4 level character is essential for basic communication and appears on everything from restaurant menus to home appliances.

This kanji is a phono-semantic compound. The left side features the radical 食 (shoku), which stands for 'eat' or 'food.' This component tells you immediately that the kanji relates to eating. The right side is 反 (han), which provides the phonetic reading. While some suggest the right side represents the 'turning over' of rice as it cooks, linguists generally view it as a sound marker. Recognizing this character is vital because it forms the core of the word 'gohan,' which Japanese speakers use multiple times a day.

Readings

On'yomi (音読み) — Chinese-derived readings

The on'yomi reading for 飯 is ハン (han). You will see this reading almost exclusively in compound words (jukugo). It appears in technical terms for cooking equipment and formal names for specific rice dishes. These words are usually very rhythmic and easy to spot in functional Japanese.

• 御飯ごはん (gohan) — Meal, cooked rice. This is the most standard term, often written as ご飯.
• 炊飯器すいはんき (suihanki) — Rice cooker; a staple appliance in every Japanese household.
• 赤飯せきはん (sekihan) — Red bean rice, traditionally served to celebrate milestones or holidays.

Kun'yomi (訓読み) — Native Japanese readings

The kun'yomi reading is めし (meshi). While 'gohan' is polite and neutral, 'meshi' is casual and traditionally associated with masculine or rough speech. However, it remains a part of many set phrases and compound words. Students should use 'gohan' in polite company, but learning 'meshi' is necessary for understanding natural, everyday conversation and slang.

• 昼飯ひるめし (hirumeshi) — Lunch (casual).
• 飯めしをつぐ (meshi o tsugu) — To scoop or serve rice into a bowl.
• 朝飯前あさめしまえ (asameshimae) — A piece of cake (literally: 'before breakfast').

Common Words & Compounds

The kanji 飯 is incredibly versatile. It forms the basis for words describing time, preparation methods, and even specific regional cuisines.

Time-Related Meals

In spoken Japanese, many meal names combine a time-of-day kanji with 飯. These are often used interchangeably with their more formal counterparts ending in 食 (shoku).

• 朝飯あさめし (asameshi) — Breakfast (literally: morning meal).
• 晩飯ばんめし (banmeshi) — Dinner (literally: evening meal).
• 夕飯ゆうめし (yuumeshi) — Supper or evening meal.

Action & Household Compounds

These terms describe the physical process of cooking or the tools used in a Japanese kitchen.

• 炊飯すいはん (suihan) — The act of boiling or cooking rice.
• 飯炊きめしたき (meshitaki) — Cooking rice; can also refer to the person responsible for the rice.
• 飯椀めしわん (meshiwan) — A traditional rice bowl.

Specific Types of Prepared Rice

Japanese cuisine features many ways to prepare its staple grain. The kanji 飯 helps distinguish these different styles.

• 酢飯すめし (sumeshi) — Vinegared rice used specifically for sushi.
• 麦飯むぎめし (mugimeshi) — A healthy mix of boiled rice and barley.
• 炊き込み飯たきこみめし (takikomimeshi) — Savory rice cooked with vegetables, meat, or seafood.

Example Sentences

Related Kanji

• 病 — Sickness, Illness, Disease (Kanji N4)
• 便 — Convenience, Facility, Communication (Kanji N4)
• 待 — Wait, Await, Expect (Kanji N4)
• 昼 — Daytime, Noon, Midday (Kanji N4)
• 服 — Clothing, Obedience, and Medicine (Kanji N4)
• 正 — Correct, Right, Justice (Kanji N4)

Memory Tip

To remember 飯, look at its two components. On the left is 食 (food). On the right is 反 (which can mean 'opposite' or 'to return'). Imagine a scenario where you go to a restaurant to eat (食), and the waiter returns (反) with your bowl of rice (飯). Think of it as the meal that makes your energy 'return' after a long day.