バケツ
baketsu[ba̠ke̞t͡sɨ]
The English word "bucket" can be translated into Japanese as バケツ (baketsu), 桶 or 手桶.
Meaning: container (noun)
Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| バケツ | baketsu | [ba̠ke̞t͡sɨ] (narrow) |
| 桶 | oke | [o̞ke̞] (narrow) [ko̞ɡa̠] (narrow) |
| 手桶 | teoke | [te̞o̞ke̞] (narrow) |
What does it mean word for word?
The word 手桶 is a compound of 手, meaning hand and 桶, meaning tub or bucket.
Which one should you use?
バケツ is a loanword from English and typically refers to modern, mass-produced plastic or metal buckets. 桶 refers to more traditional wooden tubs or barrels, often used in a culinary or historical context. 手桶 specifically refers to a small bucket used for washing hands or feet, often found in traditional Japanese settings.
How do you pronounce it?
baketsu
Did you know?
- The phrase バケツをひっくり返す literally means 'to flip a bucket', but it is used idiomatically to describe a sudden, overwhelming downpour of rain.
- Traditional 手桶 were often used in the entryway of old Japanese homes, where guests would wash their hands and feet before entering the house.
- The term 桶 was originally a compound combining the words for 'flax' and 'container', reflecting the plant-based materials used for weaving early vessels.
Examples in context
- バケツが要るんだ。I need a bucket.This sentence demonstrates the use of バケツ to express a need.Tatoeba #11633764 by bunbuku, translation #5263422 by CK
- 早く、バケツをよこせ！Give me the bucket, quick!This sentence shows how to use バケツ when asking for the object.Tatoeba #11858073 by small_snow, translation #10016536 by ddnktr
- 私はバケツに水を入れた。I poured water into the bucket.This sentence illustrates using バケツ as a container for water.Tatoeba #159141 by bunbuku, translation #255384 by CK
- このバケツは大きいですね。This bucket is big, isn't it?
- 15 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
In the garden, Yui is cleaning up after a rainstorm.
- 大翔 Hiroto結衣、そのバケツは何に使っているの？Yui, sono baketsu wa nani ni tsukatte iru no?Yui, what are you using that bucket for?
- 結衣 Yuiこのバケツに泥水を溜めているんだよ。Kono baketsu ni doromizu o tamete iru n da yo.I'm collecting muddy water in this bucket.
- 大翔 Hirotoじゃあ、僕もバケツを持ってくるね。Jaa, boku mo baketsu o motte kuru ne.Then, I'll go get a bucket too.
- 結衣 Yui大翔、ありがとう！助かるよ。Hiroto, arigatou! Tasukaru yo.Hiroto, thank you! That helps a lot.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “bucket” translations and entries バケツ, 桶, 手桶, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries バケツ, 手桶, 桶, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
