日本の小学校と中学校には「給食」という昼ご飯の時間があります。子供たちは教室でクラスのみんなと一緒に同じ料理を食べます。レストランや食堂ではなくて、いつも勉強している部屋で食べるのが面白いところでしょう。
Japanese elementary and junior high schools have a lunchtime called "kyushoku," or school lunch. Children eat the same meal together with their classmates in the classroom. What makes it interesting is that they eat in the very room where they study, not in a restaurant or a cafeteria.
給食の歴史は古くて、明治時代に始まったと言われています。昔は貧しい子供のための食事でしたが、今はすべての子供のための大切な時間になりました。学校で温かいご飯を食べることができるのは、とてもありがたいことだと思います。
The history of kyushoku is long, and it is said to have started in the Meiji era. Long ago, it was a meal meant only for poor children, but today it has become an important time for every child. Being able to eat a warm meal at school is something to be very grateful for.
メニューは栄養士の先生が作るから、とても健康的です。ご飯やパン、野菜、魚、肉、牛乳など、いろいろな食べ物が出ます。子供たちはカレーライスがいちばん好きですが、和食の日もあるし、世界の料理が出る日もあります。家で食べる料理より、種類が多いかもしれません。
Because the menus are designed by nutritionists, the food is very healthy. Rice, bread, vegetables, fish, meat, milk, and many other foods appear on the menu. Children love curry rice the most, but there are also Japanese-food days and days when dishes from around the world are served. The variety may even be greater than what they eat at home.
給食は、子供たちが自分で配ります。これを「給食当番」と言います。当番の子供は白い服とマスクをつけてから、教室で友達にご飯やおかずを配ります。みんなで「いただきます」と言ってから、楽しく話したり笑ったりしながら食べます。
The children themselves serve the meals. This is called "kyushoku-toban," the lunch duty. The students on duty put on a white apron and a mask, then hand out the rice and side dishes to their classmates in the room. After everyone says "itadakimasu," they eat while chatting and laughing together.
給食には大切なルールがあります。食べる前に手をきれいに洗わなければなりません。それから、好きな物だけ食べてはいけません。野菜が嫌いな子供も少しは食べます。食べた後に、みんなで一緒に片付けをします。
There are important rules for kyushoku. Before eating, you must wash your hands thoroughly. Also, you are not allowed to eat only what you like. Even children who dislike vegetables eat a little. After eating, everyone cleans up together.
給食はただの昼ご飯ではなくて、食べ物の勉強の時間でもあります。子供たちは食べ物を作ってくれた人に感謝することを学びます。お弁当もいいけど、給食を通して友達と同じ味を分け合う経験は、きっと一生の思い出になるでしょう。
Kyushoku is not just a midday meal — it is also a lesson about food. Children learn to feel grateful to the people who grew and prepared what they eat. Bringing a bento is fine too, but the experience of sharing the same flavors with classmates through kyushoku will surely become a memory they carry for the rest of their lives.