()(ざら)

もりざら
noun
serving plate; large plate for arranging food
1. serving plate; large plate for arranging food
A plate, often larger and shallower than an individual dish, used to display or serve food that has been arranged on it — sashimi, fruit, sweets, side dishes, or hors d'oeuvres. Found in Japanese restaurants, izakaya, home dining, and as a sales unit ('plate of X') in food shops.
()(ざら)果物(くだもの)(なら)べる。
To arrange fruit on a serving plate.
(おお)きな()(ざら)刺身(さしみ)綺麗(きれい)(なら)んでいる。
Sashimi is beautifully arranged on a large serving plate.
居酒屋(いざかや)()(ざら)は、何人(なんにん)かで()けて()べるのに便利(べんり)だ。
Izakaya serving plates are convenient for sharing among several people.

Compound of ()る ('to heap; to arrange (food on a plate)') and (さら) ('plate'); the second element undergoes rendaku, becoming ざら. Refers specifically to a plate used to display or serve arranged food, often larger than an individual dish.

USAGE:

  • Common in restaurant menus and price lists, e.g., 刺身(さしみ)()(ざら) ('sashimi serving plate') or 果物(くだもの)()(ざら) ('fruit platter').
  • May refer to either the plate itself or the food arranged on it (e.g., 'a plate of sashimi').
  • The verb ()る ('to heap up; to arrange on a plate') is at the heart of Japanese ()()け ('food presentation'), which ()(ざら) supports.

COMMON COLLOCATIONS:

  • ()(ざら)(なら)べる: to arrange on a serving plate
  • (おお)きな()(ざら): a large serving plate
  • 刺身(さしみ)()(ざら): a sashimi serving plate
  • ()(ざら)料理(りょうり): dishes served on a serving plate
  • ()(ざら)(ひと)つ: one serving plate (often a price unit)

SIMILAR WORDS:

  • 大皿(おおざら): large plate — close synonym; emphasizes size of the plate rather than the act of arranging food.
  • ()(ざら): small plate for taking individual portions from a shared dish — counterpart used by each diner.
  • ()()わせ: assortment; combination plate — refers to a mixed selection of food (often on a single plate), e.g., 刺身(さしみ)()()わせ.
  • {プレート}: plate (loanword) — used in Western-style menu language, often for single-serve plates.
  • (さら): plate — the general word for any plate.