How to say "chef" in Japanese

• シェフCommon
  nounThe direct loanword for a professional chef, especially in Western-style restaurants and hotels; it also works as a polite way to address the chef directly.
  シェフが腕うでによりをかけて作つくった料理りょうりというわりにはたいしたことない味あじだね。↗

  It doesn't taste all that great for all the effort and technique the chef put into it.
• コックJLPT N2approx.Common
  nounA cook, often in a Western-style kitchen or on a ship; it covers 'cook' more naturally than 'chef'. It is homophonous with a vulgar slang word, which can make it awkward to say.
  健二けんじはコックになることに決きめた。↗

  Kenji decided to become a cook.
• 板前いたまえCommon
  nounA chef in a Japanese kitchen, literally the person at the cutting board; use it for chefs of high-end Japanese cuisine, such as at a sushi counter.
• 料理人りょうりにんCommon
  nounThe general term for someone who cooks professionally, covering both 'cook' and 'chef' regardless of cuisine or rank; the safe choice when no specific type is meant.
  その料理人りょうりにんは彼かれの信しんじられないほどの食欲しょくよくに驚おどろいた。↗

  The cook was astonished at his incredible appetite.

Use 「シェフ」 for a professional chef, especially in Western-style cooking, 板前 for a chef of high-end Japanese cuisine, and 料理人 as the all-purpose word for a cook or chef; 「コック」 also means cook but has a vulgar homophone.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

• シェフchef
• コックcook
• 板前いたまえchef (esp. of high-end Japanese cuisine)
• 料理人りょうりにんcook
• 調理人ちょうりにんchef
• 厨人ちゅうじんchef
• 司厨士しちゅうしchef (Western cuisine)
• 賄い方まかないかたkitchen manager
• 包丁人ほうちょうにんcook
• 包丁師ほうちょうしcook
• 包丁者ほうちょうじゃcook
• 炊事係すいじがかりcook
• 板場いたばcook
• 膳部ぜんぶcook
• 板いたchef (esp. of high-end Japanese cuisine)