食(た)べ頃(ごろ)

たべごろ
noun
ready to eat; ripe for eating; at its best for eating
colloquialfood
1. ready to eat; at peak ripeness; at its best for eating
The ideal state or timing for eating something, especially fruit or other produce that reaches peak flavor and texture at a certain point of ripeness.
このバナナはちょうど食(た)べ頃(ごろ)だ。
This banana is just ready to eat.
If you leave it a bit longer, it will be ready to eat.
桃(もも)は柔(やわ)らかくなってきたら食(た)べ頃(ごろ)のサインだ。
When peaches start to soften, that's a sign they're ready to eat.

Composed of the verb stem 食(た)べ (to eat) and the suffix 頃(ごろ) (suitable time, peak). The suffix ~頃(ごろ) attaches to verb stems to indicate the ideal time or condition for that action.

RELATED ~頃(ごろ) WORDS:

  • 見(み)頃(ごろ): at its best for viewing (flowers, scenery)
  • 飲(の)み頃(ごろ): at its best for drinking (wine, tea)
  • 読(よ)み頃(ごろ): good for reading; page count that's easy to finish
  • 買(か)い頃(ごろ): good time to buy; reasonably priced

Common collocations

Similar words

  • 旬(しゅん): in season — focuses on seasonal availability rather than individual ripeness
  • 熟(じゅく)した: ripe, mature — describes the state of the food itself