Japanese · Food & Drink
野菜
yasai
Vegetables
Beginnernoun
Definition
Refers to vegetables collectively. Japan has a rich tradition of vegetable-based dishes, especially in Buddhist cuisine (精進料理 shojin ryouri).
Example
毎日野菜を食べるようにしています。
I try to eat vegetables every day.
Etymology
The word 野菜 (yasai) combines the characters for 'field' (野) and 'vegetables' (菜) and has roots in the agricultural practices of ancient Japan. The term reflects the importance of vegetables in traditional Japanese diets.
How & Where It’s Used
野菜 (yasai) is used in both formal and informal situations, often in discussions about health, cooking, and gardening. It is common across all regions of Japan.