Is there a difference between ご飯 and 御飯?


I know they both mean rice but is there a difference between the two? Perhaps
one is more specific or am I typing them wrong? Also, can ごはん be used to write
rice or is one of the other versions more common? I am a beginner in learning
Japanese and just unsure of the proper ways to write the words.




I will break down your question:

  * What is the difference between ご飯 and 御飯 ?

The difference is purely orthographic. You will see this `御` (pronounced お or
ご) used to make a word more "polite". The actual reason is more complex, but
suffice to say it does not carry a proper meaning. Examples include 御茶｛おちゃ｝,
御利用｛ごりよう｝. In the case of ご飯, this alternative spelling is less frequent.

  * What does ご飯 mean ?

You are right in the sense that ご飯 refers to white rice, but its meaning is at
the same time broader and narrower. It can _only_ refer to white, cooked rice.
If you want to talk about the plant/grain, you will need to use 米｛こめ｝.
Examples include 玄米｛げんまい｝, the brown rice and 米粉｛こめこ｝, rice flour. On the
other hand, ご飯 has become a word that encompasses the meaning of _meal_ , such
as 朝｛あさ｝ご飯, breakfast.

As a remark, you will encounter the same kanji in other dish names and cooking
utensils, notably 炒飯｛チャーハン｝, fried rice of Chinese origin.




I will break down your question:

  * What is the difference between ご飯 and 御飯 ?

The difference is purely orthographic. You will see this `御` (pronounced お or
ご) used to make a word more "polite". The actual reason is more complex, but
suffice to say it does not carry a proper meaning. Examples include 御茶｛おちゃ｝,
御利用｛ごりよう｝. In the case of ご飯, this alternative spelling is less frequent.

  * What does ご飯 mean ?

You are right in the sense that ご飯 refers to white rice, but its meaning is at
the same time broader and narrower. It can _only_ refer to white, cooked rice.
If you want to talk about the plant/grain, you will need to use 米｛こめ｝.
Examples include 玄米｛げんまい｝, the brown rice and 米粉｛こめこ｝, rice flour. On the
other hand, ご飯 has become a word that encompasses the meaning of _meal_ , such
as 朝｛あさ｝ご飯, breakfast.

As a remark, you will encounter the same kanji in other dish names and cooking
utensils, notably 炒飯｛チャーハン｝, fried rice of Chinese origin.

