盛り

• Reading: さかり
• Romaji: sakari
• Kanji breakdown: 盛 (saka/sei/mori) — prosper, heap, serve
• Pronunciation: /sa.ka.ɾi/

Meaning

Helping; serving; peak; prime. A portion of food, or the height of a period or condition.

A noun with multiple related senses. As a food term, it means a serving or portion (大盛り = large serving). As a general noun, it refers to the peak or prime of something: 花盛り (full bloom), 食べ盛り (the age when one eats a lot, growing years). Derived from the verb 盛る (to serve, to pile up).

Examples

1. ラーメンを大盛りで注文した。 I ordered a large serving of ramen.
2. 桜が満開で今が花盛りだ。 The cherry blossoms are in full bloom — it's the peak of the season.
3. 息子は食べ盛りだから食費がかかる。 My son is at the age where he eats a ton, so food costs add up.

Usage Guide

Context: restaurants, seasons, daily life

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

Derived from the verb 盛る (to heap up, to serve). The kanji 盛 combines 成 (become, accomplish) and 皿 (plate), depicting food heaped on a plate, later extended to mean the peak or fullness of anything.

Cultural Context

Era: Classical

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal