1.
side dish; supplementary food
Food that accompanies the main staple (typically rice in Japanese cuisine). Includes dishes like fish, meat, vegetables, and soup that are eaten alongside the staple grain.
副食が充実している。
The side dishes are substantial.
学校給食の副食は栄養バランスが考えられている。
The side dishes in school lunches are designed with nutritional balance in mind.
主食の米に対して、魚や野菜のおかずを副食と呼ぶ。
In contrast to rice as the staple food, fish and vegetable dishes are called side dishes.
USAGE:
A compound of 副 (secondary, supplementary) + 食 (food). Contrasted with 主食 (staple food, usually rice). More formal than the everyday word おかず.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 主食と副食 (staple food and side dishes)
- 副食の品数 (number of side dishes)
- 副食費 (side dish expenses, meal supplement costs)
SIMILAR WORDS:
- おかず: side dish — the everyday, casual term
- 主食: staple food — the main carbohydrate, usually rice, bread, or noodles