炒める

• Reading: いためる
• Romaji: itameru
• Kanji breakdown: 炒 (ita) — to stir-fry (火 = fire + 少 = small)
• Pronunciation: /i.ta.me.ɾɯ/

Meaning

To stir-fry; to sauté. To cook food quickly in oil over high heat while stirring.

A Group 2 (ichidan) verb for cooking food quickly in a small amount of oil. Distinct from 揚げる (deep fry) — 炒める uses less oil and involves constant stirring. Essential for dishes like 野菜炒め (stir-fried vegetables) and チャーハン (fried rice). The key is high heat and quick cooking to retain texture.

Examples

1. 野菜をフライパンで炒めてください。 Please stir-fry the vegetables in a frying pan.
2. にんにくを先に炒めると香りが出ます。 If you sauté the garlic first, it brings out the aroma.
3. 豚肉とキャベツを一緒に炒めました。 I stir-fried pork and cabbage together.

Usage Guide

Context: cooking, recipes, kitchen

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

The kanji 炒 combines 火 (fire) and 少 (a little), suggesting cooking with a small amount of heat or oil. This character specifically denotes the stir-frying technique.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal