Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 碗 | wan | [β̞ã̠ɴ] (narrow) |
| 茶碗 | chawan | [t͡ɕa̠β̞ã̠ɴ] (narrow) |
| ボウル | bōru | [bo̞ːɾɯ̟] (narrow) |
| 丼 | donburi | [dõ̞mbɯ̟ɾʲi] (narrow) [dõ̞ɴ] (narrow) |
The Japanese language uses different words for a bowl depending on its size, material and what it is used for. 碗 is a general term for a wide bowl, while 丼 specifically refers to a large bowl used for rice dishes topped with various ingredients. 茶碗 is used for the traditional bowls used for rice in everyday meals.
What does it mean word for word?
The word 茶碗 literally translates to 'tea bowl', combining 茶 (tea) and 碗 (bowl).
Which one should you use?
The forms differ based on the type of bowl and its cultural context. ボウル is a loanword used for Western-style kitchenware, such as salad or mixing bowls. In contrast, 茶碗 is used for traditional Japanese rice or tea bowls. While 碗 refers to a general wide bowl, it is distinct from a 湯飲み, which is a specific type of tall, handleless cup used for tea. Finally, 丼 is reserved for the large bowls used in specific rice-based dishes.
How do you pronounce it?
wan
Did you know?
- In Japanese, the phrase 丼勘定 uses the word for a large bowl to mean a 'rough approximation' or a 'loose estimate'.
- One theory suggests 丼 comes from the word 慳貪屋 (kendon'ya), meaning a 'greedy person's restaurant' that served oversized portions.
- The term 丼 for a large rice bowl might originate from an onomatopoeia describing the heavy sound of something big and soft plopping into water.
Examples in context
- トムはポップコーンの入ったボウルを、テーブルの上に置いた。Tom put the bowl of popcorn on the table.This sentence shows the use of the loanword ボウル for a container of popcorn.Tatoeba #8887237 by bunbuku, translation #3155879 by CK
- 彼はご飯を丼で食べたよ。He ate rice in a big bowl.This sentence illustrates the use of 丼 for a large bowl used to eat rice.Tatoeba #13714009 by GreySquirrel, translation #13714010 by GreySquirrel
- 湯飲みにはお茶を入れてお茶碗にはご飯をよそいます。We pour tea in a teacup and serve rice in a rice bowl.This sentence demonstrates the use of 碗 in the context of serving rice.Tatoeba #13714041 by GreySquirrel, translation #13714042 by GreySquirrel
- お味噌汁を茶碗に入れてください。Please pour the miso soup into a bowl.
- 親子丼はどんぶりで食べるのが一番美味しいです。Eating oyako-don in a bowl is the most delicious way.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Misaki and Yota are preparing a meal in the kitchen.
- 美咲 Misaki陽太くん、新しい碗を出してくれる？Yota-kun, atarashii wan o dashite kureru?Yota, can you get me a new bowl?
- 陽太 Yotaいいよ。どの碗がいい？Ii yo. Dono wan ga ii?Sure. Which bowl do you want?
- 美咲 Misakiあの白い碗をお願い。Ano shiroi wan o onegai.The white bowl, please.
- 陽太 Yotaはい、どうぞ。Hai, douzo.Here you go.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “bowl” translations and entries 碗, 茶碗, ボウル, 丼, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ボウル, 丼, 碗, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
