籠
kago[ka̠ɡo̞]
The Japanese word for basket is 籠 (kago) or バスケット (basuketto).
Meaning: container (noun)
Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 籠 | kago | [ka̠ɡo̞] (narrow) |
| バスケット | basuketto | [ba̠sɨ̥ke̞t̚to̞] (narrow) |
Both terms mean a container, but they are used in different contexts depending on the material and style of the basket.
Which one should you use?
籠 typically refers to traditional Japanese-style baskets made from woven materials such as bamboo or wicker. In contrast, the loanword バスケット is used for modern-style baskets, such as plastic laundry baskets or shopping baskets. Additionally, バスケット serves as the root for the word for basketball, バスケットボール.
How do you pronounce it?
kago
Did you know?
- The word 籠 can also be used as a verb 籠る (komoru), which means to shut oneself inside a room or to be confined in a space.
- In historical Japanese contexts, certain 籠 were used as portable toilets or bathing tubs, functioning more like small rooms than handheld containers.
- The traditional 籠 is not just a tool but a celebrated art form called 竹工芸 (take-kōgei) or bamboo craft, where some intricately woven baskets are treated as museum-grade sculptures.
Examples in context
- 籠の中には何もない。There's nothing in the basket.This sentence shows how to say there is nothing inside a 籠.Tatoeba #12829733 by small_snow, translation #12180697 by zogwarg
- 籠の中には何が入ってるの？What's in the basket?This sentence is useful for asking what is inside a 籠.Tatoeba #8980236 by bunbuku, translation #2646737 by CK
- バスケットの中には何も入っていない。There isn't anything in the basket.This sentence shows how to say there is nothing inside a バスケット.Tatoeba #12829734 by small_snow, translation #13477133 by CK
- Ashita pikunikku ni iku toki, kago o motte ikimashō! (明日ピクニックに行く時、かごを持って行きましょう！)Let's bring a basket when we go on a picnic tomorrow!
- 8 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Yota and Misaki are shopping at a grocery store.
- 陽太 Yotaこの籠でいいかな？Kono kago de ii kana?I wonder if this basket is okay?
- 美咲 Misakiそれは小さすぎるよ。Sore wa chiisugiru yo.That one is too small.
- 陽太 Yotaじゃあ、大きい籠を探そう。Jaa, ookii kago o sagasou.Then, let's look for a big basket.
- 美咲 Misakiあそこにたくさんあるよ。Asoko ni takusan aru yo.There are plenty over there.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “basket” translations and entries 籠, バスケット, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
