食い倒れ
Meaning: Eating yourself into financial ruin through excessive spending on food; used more casually to describe a food binge or splurge.
Originally a serious warning about spending too much on food, 食い倒れ is now used lightheartedly to describe going all-out on eating, especially while traveling. The term is strongly associated with Osaka, which is nicknamed 食い倒れの街 (the city of eating till you drop), reflecting its reputation for incredible and abundant food culture.
Examples
- 大阪行ったら食い倒れするって決めてる。 去大阪的话,我已经决定要大吃特吃了。Cuando vaya a Osaka, tengo decidido darme un atracón hasta reventar.오사카 가면 먹다 쓰러질 각오로 먹기로 했어.
- 旅行中に食い倒れして財布が空っぽになった。 旅行中大吃特吃,钱包都空了。Me pegué tal atracón durante el viaje que me quedé sin un duro.여행 중에 먹느라 돈 다 써서 지갑이 텅 비었어.
- 食い倒れの街って言われるだけあって、何食べても美味しかった。 不愧是被称为'吃倒之城'的地方,吃什么都好吃。No por nada la llaman la ciudad del atracón: todo lo que comí estaba buenísimo.먹다 쓰러지는 도시라는 말 그대로, 뭘 먹어도 맛있었어.
Pronunciation
/ku.i.da.o.ɾe/
Usage Guide
Context: travel, food trips, friends
Tone: enthusiastic, indulgent
✓ Do Say
- 今日は食い倒れるぞ! (Today I'm eating till I drop!)今天要吃到扶墙!¡Hoy voy a comer hasta reventar!오늘은 먹다 쓰러진다!
- 大阪で食い倒れツアーしよう。 (Let's do an eat-till-you-drop tour in Osaka.)在大阪来一次大吃特吃之旅吧。Hagamos una ruta de atracones gastronómicos por Osaka.오사카에서 먹방 투어 하자.
✗ Don't Say
- ビジネスの会食で「食い倒れましょう」は品がない (Saying 'let's eat ourselves into ruin' at a business dinner lacks refinement)在商务宴请上说'吃到破产吧'是很没品的Decir «vamos a arruinarnos comiendo» en una cena de negocios es de mal gusto비즈니스 회식 자리에서 '食い倒れしましょう(먹다 쓰러집시다)'는 품위 없다
Common Mistakes
- Only associating the term with Osaka — while strongly linked to Osaka, it's used nationwide to describe any food splurge
Origin & History
A traditional Japanese expression dating back centuries. Famously associated with Osaka's food culture — the iconic Kuidaore Taro drumming clown mascot in Dotonbori is a city landmark.
Cultural Context
Era: Traditional expression, centuries old
Generation: All ages
Social background: Universal
Regional notes: Used across all of Japan. Most strongly associated with Osaka, which is nicknamed the city of 食い倒れ.
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