レバー

ればー
noun
lever; liver (food)
toolfood
1. lever, handle
A mechanical handle or arm that is pulled, pushed, or turned to operate a machine or mechanism.
レバー()
To pull a lever.
Tilt this lever to the right and it starts moving.
I operated the emergency lever and stopped the train.
2. liver (as food)
Animal liver prepared as food, commonly chicken liver, pork liver, or beef liver. A popular ingredient in yakitori and yakiniku.
Liver is rich in iron.
I like yakitori liver skewers.
レバニラ(いた)定食屋(ていしょくや)定番(ていばん)メニューだ。
Stir-fried liver and chives is a staple menu item at set-meal restaurants.

Usage

Both senses come from English but from different words: sense 1 from "lever" and sense 2 from "liver." Context usually makes the meaning clear.

Sense 2 is very common in food contexts. レバニラ(いた)め (stir-fried liver with garlic chives) is one of the most well-known liver dishes in Japan. Some people dislike the strong taste, and レバー苦手(にがて) (not being good with liver) is a common expression.

Common collocations

  • レバー(): to pull a lever
  • レバー(たお): to push/tilt a lever
  • (とり)レバー: chicken liver
  • レバニラ(いた): stir-fried liver and chives
  • レバー()し: raw liver (now banned in restaurants for beef)