(しこ)

しこみ
noun
preparation, training, setup
1. preparation, mise en place
Advance preparation of ingredients or materials, especially in cooking and food service.
仕込(しこ)みを(はじ)める。
To start the preparation.
料理人(りょうりにん)朝早(あさはや)くから仕込(しこ)みをする。
Cooks do their prep work from early morning.
仕込(しこ)みに時間(じかん)がかかる料理(りょうり)だ。
It's a dish that takes a long time to prepare.
2. training, teaching
Teaching or training someone, especially in traditional crafts or skills.
師匠(ししょう)仕込(しこ)みは(きび)しかった。
The master's training was strict.
(わか)いころから仕込(しこ)まれた技術(ぎじゅつ)だ。
It's a skill I was trained in from a young age.
親方(おやかた)仕込(しこ)まれて一人前(いちにんまえ)になった。
I became a full-fledged craftsman through my master's training.

仕込(しこ)み has two main meanings: food preparation and training/teaching.

SENSE 1 - CULINARY PREPARATION:

  • Refers to mise en place in restaurant kitchens
  • Includes prepping ingredients before service
  • Common in restaurant and food service contexts

SENSE 2 - TRAINING:

  • Traditional apprentice training
  • Often used in craft and traditional arts
  • Related verb: 仕込(しこ)む (to train, to prepare)

COMMON COLLOCATIONS:

  • 仕込(しこ)みをする: to do prep work
  • 仕込(しこ)(ちゅう): in preparation
  • 仕込(しこ)時間(じかん): prep time