Following a recipe
Vocabulary
- 材料ingredients
- 切るto cut
- 焼くto grill / bake
- 煮るto boil / simmer
- 混ぜるto mix
- まずfirst
- 次にnext
- 最後にfinally
- 弱火low heat
- 完成completion
Giving Instructions with て-form Sequences
Recipes in Japanese use the て-form to chain steps: まず野菜を切って、次に肉を焼いて、最後にソースを混ぜます (First cut the vegetables, then grill the meat, finally mix the sauce). The sequence words まず (first), 次に (next), それから (then), 最後に (finally) keep instructions clear.
Each step uses て-form except the last, which ends in ます: 切って → 焼いて → 混ぜます. For specific instructions: 弱火で10分煮てください (Simmer on low heat for 10 minutes). よく混ぜてください (Mix well).
To describe what's ready: 完成です (It's done!). To ask: どうやって作りますか (How do you make it?). Cooking verbs are essential: 切る (cut), 焼く (grill), 煮る (boil), 混ぜる (mix), 入れる (put in), 炒める (stir-fry).
Expressions
- まず野菜を切ってくださいStarting a recipe instruction
- 次に肉を焼きますContinuing to the next step
- 弱火で10分煮てくださいGiving time and heat instructions
- よく混ぜてくださいRequesting thorough mixing
- 最後に塩を入れますDescribing the final step
- 完成ですAnnouncing the dish is ready
Common mistakes
まず野菜を切る、次にまず野菜を切って、次にUse て-form to chain steps
弱火に10分煮てください弱火で10分煮てくださいで for method, not に
混ぜるてください混ぜてくださいて-form 混ぜて, not dictionary + て
塩が入れます塩を入れます入れる takes を, not が
最後で塩を入れます最後に塩を入れますに after 最後, not で
Quick quiz
Question 1 of 5
How do you say “to cut” in Japanese?
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