How to Say ‘What do you cook?’ in Japanese
料理は何を作りますか。
ryouri wa nani o tsukuri masu ka
[ryoh-ree wah na-ni wo tsoo-KOO-ree mahs kah]
💬 Usage Tip: 料理は sets the subject as "as for cooking," and the question follows. The は here is said (wa).
Phrase Breakdown
料理は
ryouri wa
As for cooking
料理 (ryouri) means cooking or dishes. Japanese 'r' is a light tap between 'l' and 'd'. は (wa) marks the topic.
料理は楽しいです。
Cooking is fun.
Words in this phrase
料理
ryouri
[ryoh-ree]
cooking; cuisine; dish (as a category)
料理（りょうり） means “cooking” or “food/dishes.” On dates, it’s common to talk about hobbies like cooking.
週末は料理をするのが好きです。
I like cooking on weekends.
は
wa
[wah]
topic marker; as for
Marks 'today' as the topic. Written は but pronounced 'wa.'
本日はお時間をいただき、ありがとうございます。
Thank you for giving me your time today.
何を作りますか。
nani o tsukuri masu ka
what do you make?
何を (nani o, 'what') + 作りますか ('do you make?').
夕食に何を作りますか。
What will you make for dinner?
Words in this phrase
何
nani
[na-ni]
what
Used to ask for information about something.
何が欲しい？
What do you want?
を
o
[wo]
direct object marker
Marks the direct object of a verb.
本を読む。
Read a book.
作り
tsukuri
[tsoo-KOO-ree]
make (stem)
Stem of 作る 'to make'; used before ます for cooking or making things.
ケーキを作ります。
I make cake.
ます
masu
[mahs]
polite non-past ending
ます makes the expression polite and suitable for customers and service staff.
水をお願いし、ます。
Water, please.
か
ka
[kah]
question marker
Placed at the end of a sentence to make it a question.
A席はありますか。
Are there A seats available?
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