How to Say ‘I cook. / Do you cook?’ in Japanese
料理します
ryouri shi masu
[ryoh-ree shee mahss]
💬 Usage Tip: [料理します] is polite “(I) cook.” For a question, add [か]: [料理しますか]. Context decides if it’s a statement or question.
🇯🇵 In Japan: Polite form [〜ます] is common on first dates in Japan, especially if you met online and it’s your first time face-to-face.
Phrase Breakdown
料理
ryouri
[ryoh-ree]
cooking; cuisine
In 料理します, 料理 is the noun used with します to mean “(I) cook.”
家で料理します。
I cook at home.
し
shi
[shee]
do (stem of する)
し is the polite verb stem of する used before ます. し + ます = します.
週末は料理しません。
I don’t cook on weekends.
ます
masu
[mahss]
polite verb ending (present/future)
ます makes a verb polite. 料理します = “I cook / I will cook.”
今日は私が料理します。
I’ll cook today.
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