Checking Dietary Needs Before Cooking | Learn Japanese in English

Japanese lesson set in a contemporary Tokyo everyday setting: At home, two adults check guests' dietary restrictions and adjust a dinner plan before cooking..

EN → JA / Level: B1

About This Lesson

Use Checking Dietary Needs Before Cooking to practice Japanese conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.

Dialogue

A

夕食を作る前に、みんなの食事制限を確認したほうがいいです。

YOO-shoh-koo oh tsoo-KOO-roo MAH-eh nee, MIHN-nah noh shoh-KOO-jee SAY-gen oh kah-koo-NEEN shee-tah HOH gah EE dehss. Before I cook dinner, I should check everyone's dietary restrictions.
B

確認しておく価値があります。1人のゲストは乳製品を避け、もう1人は豚肉を食べません。

kah-koo-NEEN shee-teh OH-koo KAH-chee gah ah-ree-MAHS. hee-TOH-ree noh GEH-soo-toh wah nyoo-SAY-heen oh sah-KEH, moh hee-TOH-ree wah boo-tah-NEE-koo oh tah-beh-mah-SEN. It is worth checking, because one guest avoids dairy and another does not eat pork.
A

クリームパスタを作る予定だったので、代用品が必要です。

KREE-moo pah-soo-tah oh tsoo-KOO-roo yoh-TEH dah-tah noh-deh, dye-YOH-ooh-heen gah hee-tsoo-YOH dehss. I was planning to make creamy pasta, so I need a substitute.
B

牛乳を使ったソースの代わりに、オリーブオイルと野菜を使えます。

GYOO-nyoo oh tsoo-KAHT-tah SOH-soo noh kah-WAH-ree nee, oh-REE-boo OH-ee-roo toh yah-SIGH oh tsoo-kah-eh-MAHS. You could use olive oil and vegetables instead of a milk-based sauce.
A

それでも、ゲストにとってきちんとした食事になりそうですか。

soh-reh-DEH-moh, GEH-soo-toh nee toh-teh KEE-cheen-toh shee-tah shoh-KOO-jee nee nah-ree-SOH dehss kah? Would that still feel like a proper meal for guests?
B

はい、特にきのこと彩りのよいサラダを加えれば、そうなります。

HAH-ee, toh-koo-nee kee-NOH-koh toh ee-roh-DOH-ree noh yoh-EE sah-rah-dah oh koo-wah-eh-reh-bah, SOH nah-ree-MAHS. It would, especially if you add mushrooms and a bright salad.
A

他に希望があるか尋ねる短いメッセージを送ります。

HOH-kah nee kee-BOH gah ah-roo kah tah-zoo-NEH-roo MEE-jee-kah-ee MEH-seh-jee oh oh-koo-ree-MAHS. I will send a quick message asking about any other preferences.
B

質問は簡単にしてください。そうしないと、みなさんは自分が迷惑をかけていると感じるかもしれません。

shee-tsoo-MOHN wah kahn-TAHN nee shee-teh koo-dah-SIGH. SOH shee-NAH-ee toh, MIHN-nah-sahn wah jee-BOON gah may-WAH-koo oh kah-KEH-teh EE-roo toh kahn-JEE-roo kah-moh shee-reh-MAHS. Keep the question simple, or people may feel they are causing trouble.
A

メッセージには、みんなに合うものを作りたいとだけ書けばいいです。

MEH-seh-jee nee wah, MIHN-nah nee ah-OO moh-noh oh tsoo-koo-ree-TAH-ee toh dah-keh kah-keh-bah EE dehss. The message can simply say I want to make something suitable for everyone.
B

それなら思いやりが伝わり、みなさんがはっきり答える機会にもなります。

SOH-reh nah-rah oh-moh-ee-YAH-ree gah tsoo-tah-WAH-ree, MIHN-nah-sahn gah HAHK-kee-ree koh-tah-EH-roo kee-KAH-ee nee moh nah-ree-MAHS. That sounds considerate and gives them a chance to answer clearly.

Word by Word

夕食 夕食 means dinner in this dialogue. It identifies the meal being prepared in 夕食を作る. You can use it when talking about what you will eat or prepare in the evening.
を を marks 夕食 as the thing being made in 夕食を作る. It commonly follows the direct object of an action. Use it before verbs such as 作る when naming what someone makes.
作る 作る means to make or cook here, as in 夕食を作る. In this dialogue it describes preparing dinner. You can use it with a food or meal as the object.
前 前 means before in 作る前に, referring to the time before cooking. It places one action earlier than another. It commonly follows a noun or verb phrase when describing timing.
に に marks the time relation in 作る前に, meaning before cooking. Here it connects 前 with the action that follows. It is also commonly used to mark a specific time or destination.
みんな みんな means everyone in みんなの食事制限. It refers to all the people whose dietary needs should be checked. You can use it when referring to a whole group in an informal, friendly way.
の の links みんな to 食事制限 in みんなの食事制限, showing whose restrictions they are. It connects a noun or noun-like expression to the noun it describes. Use it when expressing possession or another close relationship.
食事 食事 means a meal or food in 食事制限. Here it identifies the eating-related area being restricted. You can use it when discussing meals, eating, or dietary matters.
制限 制限 means a restriction in 食事制限, referring to limits on what someone can eat. Together, 食事制限 describes dietary restrictions. Use it for limits or rules placed on an activity or choice.
確認 確認 means checking or confirming in 確認したほうがいいです. It refers to finding out the guests' dietary needs before cooking. You can use it when verifying information before taking action.
したほうがいい したほうがいい means it would be better to do something, so 確認したほうがいいです recommends checking. In this construction, した refers to doing the action, ほう presents it as the better option, が marks that option, and いい says it is preferable. Use it to give practical advice about an action.
です です gives the statement a polite ending in 確認したほうがいいです. It makes the advice suitable for a polite conversation. It commonly follows a polite description or recommendation.
して して in 確認しておく describes carrying out the checking action before the relevant time. It connects that action to おく. Use this form when one action is linked to a following action or expression.
おく おく in 確認しておく adds the idea of doing something in advance and leaving it done. Together, 確認しておく means to check beforehand. Use it when preparation now will help with a later situation.
価値 価値 means value or worth in 確認しておく価値があります. It says that checking is worthwhile. You can use it when judging whether an action or object is worth the effort.
あります あります states that something exists in 価値があります, completing the polite statement that the checking has value. It is used here with 価値 to say that there is worth in doing it. Use it for the existence of things or situations.
ゲスト ゲスト means guest in ゲストは. It refers to a person invited to the dinner. You can use it when talking about visitors at a home, event, or gathering.
は は marks ゲスト as the topic in ゲストは乳製品を避け. The sentence then gives information about that guest's eating habits. Use it to set the person or thing being discussed.
乳製品 乳製品 means dairy products in 乳製品を避け. It refers to foods made from milk. You can use it when discussing ingredients or dietary restrictions.
避け 避け in 乳製品を避け means avoids dairy products. In this dialogue, it links the guest with the food they do not consume. Use it when describing something a person deliberately stays away from.
もう もう means another in もう1人, introducing a second guest after the first one has been mentioned. Here it does not mean already. Use it before a person or thing when adding one more to a comparison or list.
豚肉 豚肉 means pork in 豚肉を食べません. It identifies the meat that the guest does not eat. You can use it when discussing ingredients, menus, or food preferences.
食べません 食べません means does not eat or will not eat in 豚肉を食べません. It politely states that the guest does not consume pork. Use it to give a polite negative statement about eating something.
クリームパスタ クリームパスタ means creamy pasta in クリームパスタを作る. It is the dish the speaker originally planned to prepare. You can use it when naming a pasta dish with a creamy style.
予定 予定 means a plan or intention in 予定だったので. It refers to what the speaker had planned to make. Use it when describing a scheduled or intended action.
だった だった shows that the plan in 予定だった was the case previously. Together, 予定だった means was planning or was the plan. Use it when describing a past plan or past state.
ので ので connects the past plan with its reason in 予定だったので, meaning because that was the plan or so. It introduces a relatively gentle explanation for needing a substitute. Use it after a reason before stating a result or decision.
代用品 代用品 means a substitute in 代用品が必要です. It refers to something used in place of an original ingredient or item. You can use it when the usual choice cannot be used.
必要 必要 means necessary or needed in 代用品が必要です. It says that a substitute is required because the planned ingredient cannot be used. Use it when explaining that something is required.
牛乳 牛乳 means milk in 牛乳を使ったソース. It identifies the ingredient used in the sauce. You can use it when discussing milk as an ingredient or drink.
使った 使った means used in 牛乳を使ったソース, describing a sauce made with milk. It places the ingredient information before ソース. Use it to describe something that used a particular item or method.
ソース ソース means sauce in 牛乳を使ったソース. It is the part of the dish that would normally contain milk. You can use it when naming a sauce or discussing how a dish is prepared.
代わり 代わり in 代わりに means instead or in place of something. Here it introduces olive oil and vegetables as replacements for the milk-based sauce. Use it when presenting an alternative to an original choice.
オリーブオイル オリーブオイル means olive oil in オリーブオイルと野菜. It is one of the suggested ingredients for the adjusted meal. You can use it when discussing cooking ingredients or methods.
と と connects オリーブオイル and 野菜 in オリーブオイルと野菜, meaning olive oil and vegetables. It joins items in a list. Use it between nouns that are included together.
野菜 野菜 means vegetables in オリーブオイルと野菜. It is the second suggested ingredient group for the meal. You can use it when talking about ingredients, shopping, or cooking.
使えます 使えます means can use in オリーブオイルと野菜を使えます. It presents these ingredients as a possible replacement. Use it to politely say that something can be used.
それでも それでも means even so or nevertheless in それでも、ゲストにとって. それ refers to the proposed replacement, and でも adds the idea of continuing despite that point. Use it when asking or stating what remains true after a change or difficulty.
にとって にとって means for or from the perspective of in ゲストにとって. に marks the people whose viewpoint matters, and とって forms the perspective expression. Use it when evaluating something in relation to a particular person or group.
きちんとした きちんとした means proper or well-prepared in きちんとした食事. It describes a meal that feels complete and appropriate for guests. Use it when describing something orderly, respectable, or suitable.
なりそう なりそう in きちんとした食事になりそうですか expresses that something seems likely to become or be a proper meal. It presents the result as a possibility rather than a certainty. Use it when asking whether a situation appears likely to turn out a certain way.
か か marks the sentence as a question in なりそうですか. It turns the preceding statement into a polite request for confirmation. Use it at the end of a question.
はい はい means yes in the reply はい、特にきのこと彩りのよいサラダを加えれば. It confirms the answer to the previous question. You can use it to agree or respond affirmatively in polite conversation.
特に 特に means especially in 特にきのこと彩りのよいサラダ. It highlights mushrooms and the salad as particularly helpful additions. Use it when giving extra emphasis to one part of a statement.
きのこ きのこ means mushrooms in きのこと彩りのよいサラダ. It names one ingredient to add to the meal. You can use it when discussing food, recipes, or shopping.
彩り 彩り means color or visual appeal in 彩りのよいサラダ. It refers to how attractive the salad looks because of its colors. Use it when describing the appearance of food or a scene.
よい よい means good or pleasing in 彩りのよいサラダ. Here it describes the salad's appealing visual color. Use it before a noun when describing a favorable quality.
サラダ サラダ means salad in 彩りのよいサラダ. It is the dish suggested as an addition to make the meal feel complete. You can use it when naming a salad or side dish.
加えれば 加えれば means if you add in きのこと彩りのよいサラダを加えれば. It sets the condition under which the meal will have the desired result. Use it when proposing that a result will follow if something is added.
そう そう in そうなります refers back to becoming a proper meal for the guests. It avoids repeating that earlier result. Use it to point back to a previously mentioned way, condition, or state.
なります なります means becomes or will be in そうなります. It describes the meal reaching the state mentioned earlier. Use it to talk politely about a change or resulting condition.
他 他 means other in 他に希望があるか. It asks whether there are preferences besides the ones already known. Use it when asking about additional people, items, or possibilities.
希望 希望 means a preference or wish in 他に希望があるか. Here it refers to any other food requests the guests may have. You can use it when asking what someone wants or prefers.
ある ある means exist or be present in 他に希望があるか. It asks whether any other preferences exist. Use it with an item or condition that may be present.
尋ねる 尋ねる means to ask or inquire in 他に希望があるか尋ねる. It describes asking the guests whether they have other preferences. Use it when seeking information from someone.
短い 短い means short or brief in 短いメッセージ. It describes a message that does not contain much text. Use it before a noun when describing limited length or duration.
メッセージ メッセージ means message in 短いメッセージ. It refers to the note the speaker plans to send to the guests. You can use it for a written or digital message.
送ります 送ります means will send in メッセージを送ります. It politely states the speaker's intention to send a message. Use it when saying that you will send something to a person or place.
質問 質問 means question in 質問は簡単にしてください. It refers to the wording used to ask about dietary preferences. You can use it when discussing something asked to obtain information.
簡単 簡単 means simple or easy in 質問は簡単にしてください. Here it describes a question that is easy for the guests to answer. Use it when asking someone to keep a task, explanation, or question uncomplicated.
してください してください means please do or please keep something in 質問は簡単にしてください. して carries out the requested action, and ください makes it a polite request. Use this construction when politely asking someone to perform an action.
そうしないと そうしないと means otherwise in そうしないと、みなさんは. そう refers to keeping the question simple, しない means not doing that, and と introduces the resulting consequence. Use it to warn what may happen if the preceding action is not taken.
みなさん みなさん means everyone in みなさんは自分が迷惑をかけている. It refers politely to all the guests or people being discussed. You can use it when addressing or referring to a group respectfully.
自分 自分 means oneself in 自分が迷惑をかけている. Here it refers to each person's own feeling that they are causing trouble. Use it when the person involved is referring back to themselves.
迷惑 迷惑 means trouble or inconvenience in 迷惑をかけている. It describes an unwanted burden placed on another person. You can use it when talking about causing someone difficulty or annoyance.
かけている かけている means be causing in 迷惑をかけている. Together with 迷惑を, it describes an ongoing feeling that one is causing inconvenience. Use it when an action or situation is currently creating a burden for someone.
感じる 感じる means to feel in 自分が迷惑をかけていると感じる. It describes the guests' personal impression that they are causing trouble. Use it to talk about an emotion, impression, or perceived situation.
かもしれません かもしれません means might or may in 感じるかもしれません. The exact construction expresses a polite possibility; かも introduces the possibility and しれません completes the expression. Use it when you are not certain that something will happen or be true.
合う 合う means suit or fit in みんなに合うもの. It describes something that is appropriate for everyone. Use it when saying that a choice matches a person's needs, preferences, or situation.
もの もの means thing or something in みんなに合うもの. Here it refers generally to the food the speaker wants to make. You can use it when referring to an item without naming it specifically.
作りたい 作りたい means want to make in ものを作りたい. It states the speaker's intention to prepare suitable food. Use it after an action stem when expressing what you want to do.
だけ だけ means only or just in とだけ書けばいいです. It limits the message to stating that one point. Use it to show that no more than the specified content is necessary.
書けばいい 書けばいい means it is enough or acceptable to write in とだけ書けばいいです. 書けば presents writing as the condition, and いい says that this is sufficient. Use it when explaining the simplest action needed to achieve a result.
それなら それなら means if that is the case or then in それなら思いやりが伝わり. それ refers to the proposed message, and なら sets it as the condition for the following judgment. Use it when responding to information or a suggestion just mentioned.
思いやり 思いやり means consideration or thoughtfulness in 思いやりが伝わり. It refers to the speaker's care for the guests' feelings and needs. You can use it when describing considerate treatment of another person.
伝わり 伝わり in 思いやりが伝わり means comes across or is conveyed. It says that the speaker's thoughtfulness reaches the guests through the message. Use it when an intention, feeling, or meaning is understood by another person.
はっきり はっきり means clearly in はっきり答える. It describes answering in a way that is easy to understand. Use it when asking for or describing clear speech, writing, or answers.
答える 答える means to answer in はっきり答える. It describes how the guests can respond to the message. You can use it when responding to a question or request for information.
機会 機会 means a chance or opportunity in 答える機会. It refers to the opportunity the guests receive to give a clear answer. Use it when talking about a situation that allows someone to do something.
も も means also or as well in 答える機会にもなります. It adds this opportunity as another positive result of the message. Use it to add a person, thing, or point to what has already been mentioned.

Grammar Points

〜たほうがいい

食事制限を確認したほうがいい。

shoh-KOO-jee SAY-gen oh kah-koo-NEEN shee-tah HOH gah EE.

You should check the dietary restrictions.

This pattern means “it is better to do” and is commonly used to give advice.

〜ば

きのこを加えれば、彩りのよい食事になります。

kee-NOH-koh oh KOO-wah-eh-reh-bah, ee-roh-DOH-ree noh yoh-EE shoh-KOO-jee nee nah-ree-MAHS.

If you add mushrooms, it will become a colorful meal.

The ば-form expresses a condition: “if” or “when” something happens.

Japanese Vocabulary

クリームパスタ noun
KREE-moo pah-soo-tah creamy pasta
ゲスト noun
GEH-soo-toh guest
価値 noun
KAH-chee value; worth
確認したほうがいい phrase
kah-koo-NEEN shee-tah HOH gah EE should check; it is better to check
作る予定 phrase
tsoo-KOO-roo yoh-TEH plan to make
食べません verb
tah-beh-mah-SEN do not eat
食事制限 noun
shoh-KOO-jee SAY-gen dietary restriction
代用品 noun
dye-YOH-ooh-heen substitute
豚肉 noun
boo-tah-NEE-koo pork
乳製品 noun
nyoo-SAY-heen dairy products
避け verb
sah-KEH avoid
夕食 noun
YOO-shoh-koo dinner

Quiz

Spelling

Tap the letters to spell the word.

dietary restriction

Show Answer食事制限

should check; it is better to check

Show Answer確認したほうがいい

do not eat

Show Answer食べません

plan to make

Show Answer作る予定