箸
hashi
The English phrase "chopsticks" is translated into Japanese as 箸 (hashi).
箸 refers to the pair of thin sticks used as eating utensils to pick up food.
How do you pronounce it?
hashi
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers may confuse the pronunciation of 箸 (chopsticks) with the word for "bridge" if they do not pay attention to the pitch accent or context.
Did you know?
- There is a specific social taboo against passing food directly from one person's 箸 to another's. This gesture closely resembles a ritual performed at Japanese funerals and is considered extremely unlucky or macabre.
- In Japanese, the word for 'chopsticks' is thought to be linguistically linked to the verb 挟む (hasamu), which means 'to pinch' or 'to hold between'.
- Some traditional Japanese 箸 are designed with a square shape at one end to prevent them from rolling off the table.
Examples in context
- お箸が苦手なの。I'm not very good with chopsticks.This sentence is useful for expressing a lack of skill with 箸.Tatoeba #9696343 by small_snow, translation #6796416 by Hybrid
- 彼は箸が使えるよ。He can use chopsticks.This sentence is useful for stating that someone is able to use 箸.Tatoeba #9696344 by small_snow, translation #6459886 by Eccles17
- 箸の使い方を知ってる？Do you know how to use chopsticks?This sentence is useful for asking about knowledge regarding the usage of 箸.Tatoeba #9696340 by small_snow, translation #3170777 by Hybrid
- ちょっと、はしを貸してくれる？Hey, can you lend me the chopsticks?
- 29 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Youta and Himari are preparing to eat dinner.
- 陽葵 Himari陽太、箸を二膳用意して。Youta, hashi o nizen youi shite.Youta, please get two pairs of chopsticks ready.
- 陽太 Yotaわかった。どこにある？Wakatta. Doko ni aru?Okay. Where are they?
- 陽葵 Himari引き出しの中にあるよ。Hikidashi no naka ni aru yo.They are in the drawer.
- 陽太 Yota箸を置いたよ。食べよう！Hashi o oita yo. Tabeyou!I've set the chopsticks. Let's eat!
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 箸, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
