1.
small individual plate; serving plate
A small plate used to take portions from shared dishes when eating with others. Essential in Japanese dining culture where food is often served communally.
取り皿をもう一枚ください。
Could I have one more small plate, please?
大皿の料理を取り皿に取り分けた。
I portioned the food from the large platter onto individual plates.
居酒屋では料理をみんなで分けるので、取り皿が何枚も必要になる。
At izakaya, everyone shares dishes, so you need many individual plates.
CULTURE:
Reflects the Japanese communal dining style where dishes are placed in the center of the table and diners take portions onto their own small plates. At restaurants, it is perfectly normal to ask the staff for extra 取り皿. Different from a personal plate (自分の皿) in Western-style individual plating.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 取り皿を用意する (to prepare individual plates)
- 取り皿に取る (to put food on one's plate)
- 取り皿を下げる (to clear the individual plates)