JLPT N2・N5 Vocabulary – Difference between “料理” and “調理”

Table of Contents

1. Difference between “料理りょうり” and “調理ちょうり“
2. 料理りょうり
3. 調理ちょうり
4. Let’s Compare
5. Summary
6. Quiz
7. Similar Articles
8. Comment

Q: What is the difference between “料理りょうり” and “調理ちょうり“?

A: These two words have similar meanings, but there are some differences.

料理りょうり (JLPT N5)

[Meaning]
① Washing and cutting ingredients to make them edible, or the process of doing so
② The finished food
③Food made using methods unique to that country

[Commonly used terms]
料理りょうり人にん(Cook)・country name + cuisine (e.g.日本にほん料理りょうり(Japanese cuisine), 韓国かんこく料理りょうり(Korean cuisine))・料理りょうり教室きょうしつ(cooking class)・料理りょうり方法ほうほう (cooking method)

[Examples]
母ははは台所だいどころで料理りょうりをしています。（①）
My mother is cooking in the kitchen.

仕事しごとの日ひは料理りょうりする時間じかんがありません。（①）
On workdays, I don’t have time to cook.

わあ、この料理りょうりおいしそう！（②）
Wow, this dish looks delicious!

この店みせの料理りょうりはおいしいです。（②）
The food at this restaurant is delicious.

イタリア料理りょうりが大好だいすきです。（③）
I love Italian cuisine.

料理りょうり教室きょうしつでフランス料理りょうりを習ならいました。（③）
I learned French cuisine in a cooking class.

調理ちょうり (JLPT N2)

[Meaning]
① The process and techniques of making ingredients edible
② Washing and cutting ingredients, then using techniques to grill or boil them

[Commonly used terms]
調理ちょうり師し(Chef)・調理ちょうり器具きぐ(cooking utensils)・調理ちょうり方法ほうほう(cooking method)・調理ちょうり台だい(kitchen counter)

[Examples]
シェフは魚さかなを調理ちょうりしています。（①）
The chef is preparing the fish.

プロによって調理ちょうりされた料理りょうりはどれもおいしいです。（①）
The dishes prepared by a professional are all delicious.

プロのシェフから調理ちょうり方法ほうほうを習ならいました。（②）
I learned cooking techniques from a professional chef.

これは電子でんしレンジで調理ちょうりできます。（②）
This can be prepared using a microwave.

Let’s Compare

“料理りょうり” is used broadly for anything made by both amateurs and professionals, simply involving the use of ingredients to create something.

On the other hand, “調理ちょうり” focuses on the method of making, emphasizing the process and techniques used.

Let’s consider the difference in these words with the following examples.

[Examples]
母ははは魚さかなを料理りょうりしています。
My mother is cooking the fish.

母ははは魚さかなを調理ちょうりしています。
My mother is preparing the fish.
⇒ When using “料理りょうりしている” it means that the mother is simply cooking the fish. However, “調理ちょうりしている” implies that she is performing more technical tasks like cleaning, deboning, and preparing sashimi, which require specific skills.

As you can see from the [Commonly used terms], the words used are limited and have already become nouns, so they cannot be interchanged.
For example, you can say “料理りょうり人に“, but not “調理ちょうり人にん“.

“料理りょうり人にん” refers to anyone who can cook, from amateurs to professionals.
In contrast, “調理ちょうり師し” refers to a professional job that requires certification.
The kanji “師し” itself implies a master or teacher of academic, technical, or artistic skills, indicating a higher level of expertise.

Thus, whether made by amateurs or professionals, the process of preparing food and the finished food itself is called “料理りょうり“. Additionally, when referring to the cuisine of a specific country, the term “料理りょうり” is used.

[Examples]
料理りょうりが苦手にがてです。
I’m not good at cooking.

ここのシェフの料理りょうりは本当ほんとうにおいしいですね。
The food here by the chef is delicious.

Summary

[料理りょうり]

• Washing and cutting ingredients to make them edible, or the process of doing so.
• The finished food.
• Food made using methods unique to that country.

[調理ちょうり]

• Washing and cutting ingredients, then using techniques to grill or boil them.
• The process and techniques of making ingredients edible.

Quiz

Read the following sentence and choose the expression that fits the context from the options provided in the parentheses.

Click on the question to check the answer.

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