Curious about the word 「こめ/おこめ」I more often hear the word 「ごはん」when talking about rice, and I know it also can mean “meal” as well. Is「こめ/おこめ」used more in different locations? Or is it just a more specific word meaning only “rice” thank you in advance for whatever insight or cultural knowledge you might have on the matter.
なるほど。I’m guessing when it’s used in conversation like it is here, it’s implied that the rice is cooked? I can’t imagine rice being eaten raw. Unless there’s a mystery meal I don’t know about that uses uncooked rice…
Yes, of course. We wouldn’t eat raw rice unless there’s no choice.
I meant to say that ご飯 can mean both “rice” and “meal.” So, when we want to clarify that we’re talking specifically about “rice” (and not bread or pasta), we tend to use the word 米. Although 米 typically means “raw rice” in other contexts, it serves to avoid confusion.
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Curious about the word 「こめ/おこめ」I more often hear the word 「ごはん」when talking about rice, and I know it also can mean “meal” as well. Is「こめ/おこめ」used more in different locations? Or is it just a more specific word meaning only “rice” thank you in advance for whatever insight or cultural knowledge you might have on the matter.
Basically,
米(こめ) – raw rice
ご飯(ごはん) – cooked rice
However, as you already know, “ご飯” is also used to mean “meal”, so “米” is used to distinguish it from other staples such as bread and pasta.
なるほど。I’m guessing when it’s used in conversation like it is here, it’s implied that the rice is cooked? I can’t imagine rice being eaten raw. Unless there’s a mystery meal I don’t know about that uses uncooked rice…
Yes, of course. We wouldn’t eat raw rice unless there’s no choice.
I meant to say that ご飯 can mean both “rice” and “meal.” So, when we want to clarify that we’re talking specifically about “rice” (and not bread or pasta), we tend to use the word 米. Although 米 typically means “raw rice” in other contexts, it serves to avoid confusion.
Understood, I had figured that out after thinking about it for a minute. Thanks for clarifying anyways
No problem!