総菜(そうざい)

そうざい
noun
prepared side dish; deli food
food
See also: 惣菜(そうざい) (side dish (variant))
1. prepared side dish; ready-made dish; deli food
Cooked dishes sold ready to eat, typically found at supermarkets, department store basements (depachika), and specialty shops. Includes items like fried chicken, salads, simmered vegetables, and more.
今日(きょう)は総菜(そうざい)を買(か)って帰(かえ)ろう。
Let's buy some deli food on the way home today.
スーパーの総菜(そうざい)コーナーは夕方(ゆうがた)になると安(やす)くなる。
The deli section at the supermarket gets cheaper in the evening.
忙(いそが)しい日(ひ)は総菜(そうざい)に頼(たよ)ることが多(おお)いが、栄養(えいよう)バランスには気(き)をつけている。
On busy days I often rely on prepared dishes, but I try to watch the nutritional balance.

Usage

A very common word in daily Japanese life. Also written as お惣菜(そうざい) with the polite prefix お. Supermarkets and department store basements (地下(ちか), commonly called デパ地下(ちか)) have extensive 総菜(そうざい) sections.

Writing

Also written as 惣菜(そうざい). Both kanji forms are common.

Common collocations

Related Words

Compare: お惣菜屋(そうざいや) (deli)
general
Added 2026.3.14 15:28 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01
16500/16739_souzai