Standard Lemma guide

tonkotsu

noun · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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  • UK: /tɒŋˈkɒtsuː/
  • US: /tɑŋˈkɑtsu/

1

noun

Meaning 1

A Japanese broth made from pork marrow, typically served with ramen.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: uncountable

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

noun

Meaning 2

A Japanese tobacco-box.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

Borrowed from Japanese 豚骨 (tonkotsu), from 豚 (ton, “pork”) + 骨 (kotsu, “bone, rib”).

Borrowed from Japanese とんこつタバコ入れ (tonkotsu tabako-ire).

Across languages

Translations

9 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Chinese Cantonese: 豚骨湯 /豚骨汤 (tyun4 gwat1 tong1) — Japanese broth made from pork marrow
  • Chinese Cantonese: 豬骨湯 /猪骨汤 (zyu1 gwat1 tong1) — Japanese broth made from pork marrow
  • Chinese Mandarin: 豚骨湯 /豚骨汤 (túngǔtāng) — Japanese broth made from pork marrow
  • Chinese Mandarin: 豬骨湯 /猪骨汤 (zhūgǔtāng) — Japanese broth made from pork marrow
  • German: Tonkotsu — Japanese broth made from pork marrow
  • Italian: tonkotsu — Japanese broth made from pork marrow
  • Japanese: 豚骨 (tonkotsu) — Japanese broth made from pork marrow
  • Russian: тонко́цу (tonkócu) — Japanese broth made from pork marrow
  • Ukrainian: тонко́цу (tonkócu) — Japanese broth made from pork marrow