Proverb / Kotowaza
一汁一菜
A meal consisting of one soup and one side dish, representing a simple and frugal lifestyle.
one soup, one side dish
Quick Answer
A meal consisting of one soup and one side dish, representing a simple and frugal lifestyle.
- Literal Image
- one soup, one side dish
- How to Use It
- Used to describe a life of frugality or an intentionally simple meal that avoids luxury.
Meaning
This expression refers to a basic meal consisting of just one soup and one side dish. It is used as a metaphor for a modest and frugal way of living, emphasizing simplicity and the absence of luxury in one's daily habits. It implies a disciplined approach to life where one finds contentment in basic necessities.
Literal Image
one soup, one side dish
How to Use It
Used to describe a life of frugality or an intentionally simple meal that avoids luxury.
Tone
Neutral and reflective of simplicity or discipline.
Examples
質素倹約を心がけ、一汁一菜の生活を送る。
I strive for frugality and lead a life of 'one soup and one side dish'.
禅寺では、修行僧たちは一汁一菜の食事をする。
In Zen temples, monks in training eat meals of 'one soup and one side dish'.
Learning Notes
Key Vocabulary
The individual kanji for numbers and food are simple, but the compound structure and its idiomatic shift from a literal meal to a lifestyle concept increase the difficulty.
一
いち / ichi
one
汁
じゅう / juu
soup
菜
さい / sai
side dish; vegetable
Usage Profile
Usage note: Do not mistake it for a specific modern diet plan; it is primarily a metaphor for simplicity.
Misread Risk
Learners might interpret this as a literal recipe or restricted diet, but it can be used as a metaphor for a frugal lifestyle.
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Origin
This expression is said to originate from the meals of monks in training at Zen temples. It refers to a simple meal consisting of rice, miso soup, and pickles. Over time, it came to be used as a metaphor for a frugal and modest way of living.
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