gyoza: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowNeutral to informal; common in culinary and foodie contexts.
Quick answer
What does “gyoza” mean?
A Japanese dumpling filled with ground meat and vegetables, typically pan-fried on one side.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A Japanese dumpling filled with ground meat and vegetables, typically pan-fried on one side.
In Western contexts, it often refers broadly to any small, pan-fried or steamed dumpling of the Japanese style, served as an appetizer or part of a meal.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning. The word is more frequently encountered in the US due to greater prevalence of Japanese restaurants.
Connotations
Connotes Japanese cuisine, casual dining, and 'foodie' culture in both regions.
Frequency
Slightly more common in American English, but well-understood in the UK in urban and culinary contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “gyoza” in a Sentence
[number] + gyoza (e.g., six gyoza)[cooking method] + gyoza (e.g., fried gyoza)[type] + gyoza (e.g., pork gyoza)gyoza + with + [dipping sauce] (e.g., gyoza with soy sauce)Vocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in restaurant menus, food industry marketing, and culinary tourism.
Academic
Appears in culinary studies, anthropology of food, and cultural studies.
Everyday
Common in conversations about dining out, cooking, and food preferences.
Technical
Used in professional cooking instructions and food packaging.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “gyoza”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “gyoza”
- Pronouncing the 'g' as soft /dʒ/ (like in 'gem'); it should be a hard /ɡ/.
- Using 'gyoza' as always plural (it can be singular: 'a gyoza').
- Misspelling as 'gyosa', 'gioza', or 'gyozza'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It can be both. In English, 'gyoza' is often used as a mass noun (e.g., 'I love gyoza'), but it can also be countable (e.g., 'I ate six gyozas').
Potstickers are the American-Chinese version of the same concept. Gyoza are Japanese, typically with a thinner wrapper and a more finely textured filling, and are often served with a soy-vinegar dipping sauce.
In British English, it's /ˈɡjəʊ.zə/ (gy-oh-zuh). In American English, it's /ˈɡjoʊ.zə/ (gy-oh-zuh). The 'g' is hard as in 'go'.
Yes, gyoza can be steamed, pan-fried (which gives a crispy bottom), or boiled. The most common style is pan-fried, known as 'yaki-gyoza'.
A Japanese dumpling filled with ground meat and vegetables, typically pan-fried on one side.
Gyoza is usually neutral to informal; common in culinary and foodie contexts. in register.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'GO za' good food! The 'gy' sounds like the 'g' in 'go', and you 'go' to get some gyoza.
Conceptual Metaphor
GYOZA IS A PACKAGE (containing a surprise of flavour).
Practice
Quiz
What is the most accurate description of gyoza?