レバー
ればー
noun
lever; liver (food)
1.
lever, handle
A mechanical handle or arm that is pulled, pushed, or turned to operate a machine or mechanism.
レバーを引く。
To pull a lever.
このレバーを右に倒すと動き出す。
Tilt this lever to the right and it starts moving.
非常レバーを操作して列車を止めた。
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.
レバーは鉄分が豊富だ。
Liver is rich in iron.
焼き鳥のレバーが好きだ。
I like yakitori liver skewers.
レバニラ炒めは定食屋の定番メニューだ。
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. レバニラ炒め (stir-fried liver with garlic chives) is one of the most well-known liver dishes in Japan. Some people dislike the strong taste, and レバーが苦手 (not being good with liver) is a common expression.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- レバーを引く: to pull a lever
- レバーを倒す: to push/tilt a lever
- 鶏レバー: chicken liver
- レバニラ炒め: stir-fried liver and chives
- レバー刺し: raw liver (now banned in restaurants for beef)