弁当(べんとう)

べんとう
noun
boxed lunch
1. boxed lunch, packed lunch
A meal packed in a box, typically containing rice and various side dishes. A key part of Japanese food culture.
弁当(べんとう)を食(た)べる。
To eat a bento.
コンビニで弁当(べんとう)を買(か)いました。
I bought a bento at the convenience store.
母(はは)が弁当(べんとう)を作(つく)ってくれました。
My mother made a bento for me.
毎朝(まいあさ)弁当(べんとう)を作(つく)るのは大変(たいへん)です。
Making a bento every morning is hard work.
新幹線(しんかんせん)に乗(の)る前(まえ)に駅(えき)で弁当(べんとう)を買(か)って、車内(しゃない)で食(た)べました。
Before getting on the bullet train, I bought a bento at the station and ate it on board.

弁当(べんとう) is a boxed meal and a fundamental part of Japanese food culture. Often called お弁当(べんとう) with the polite prefix お.

TYPES OF BENTO:

  • 駅弁(えきべん): train station bento (often featuring local specialties)
  • キャラ弁(べん): character-themed bento for children
  • 幕(まく)の内(うち)弁当(べんとう): traditional multi-compartment bento
  • コンビニ弁当(べんとう): convenience store bento

COMMON EXPRESSIONS:

CULTURAL NOTE:
Making 弁当(べんとう) for family members is a traditional expression of care in Japan.

core
Added 2026.1.7 21:12 · Revised 2026.2.22 11:51
01000/01014_bentou