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べ頃だ。
This banana is just ready to eat.
もう少し置いたら食べ頃になるよ。
If you leave it a bit longer, it will be ready to eat.
桃は柔らかくなってきたら食べ頃のサインだ。
When peaches start to soften, that's a sign they're ready to eat.
Composed of the verb stem 食べ (to eat) and the suffix 頃 (suitable time, peak). The suffix ～頃 attaches to verb stems to indicate the ideal time or condition for that action.
RELATED ～頃 WORDS:
- 見頃: at its best for viewing (flowers, scenery)
- 飲み頃: at its best for drinking (wine, tea)
- 読み頃: good for reading; page count that's easy to finish
- 買い頃: good time to buy; reasonably priced
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 食べ頃の果物: fruit that is ripe and ready to eat
- 食べ頃になる: to become ready to eat
- ちょうど食べ頃: just at the right time for eating
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 旬: in season — focuses on seasonal availability rather than individual ripeness
- 熟した: ripe, mature — describes the state of the food itself