カウチ
kauchi[ka̠ɯ̟t͡ɕi]
The English word couch is カウチ (kauchi) in Japanese. Wiktionary also lists 寝台 (shindai).
Meaning: furniture for seating of more than one person (noun)
Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| カウチ | kauchi | [ka̠ɯ̟t͡ɕi] (narrow) |
| 寝台 | shindai | [ɕĩnda̠i] (narrow) [ne̞da̠i] (narrow) |
The term カウチ is a direct loanword for couch. It is used in specific or more literary contexts, such as in the phrase カウチポテト (couch potato), rather than in general everyday conversation about furniture.
Which one should you use?
While カウチ is a direct loanword for couch, the term ソファ (sofa) is a much more common way to refer to upholstered seating furniture in daily Japanese life.
How do you pronounce it?
kauchi
Did you know?
- Unlike in English where 'couch' and 'sofa' are often interchangeable, using カウチ ('kauchi') in Japan can make a speaker sound like they are reading from a translated Western novel.
- The word 寝台 ('shindai') can refer to a couch or bed, but it specifically evokes the 'sleeper cars' found on long-distance Japanese trains.
- The term 寝台 ('shindai') literally translates to 'sleeping platform', emphasizing the function of the object rather than its form as a piece of upholstery.
Examples in context
- 私のオフィスに新しいソファがあります。There is a new couch in my office.
- リビングのソファでくつろいでいます。I'm relaxing on the living room couch.
- 彼らはソファーで映画を見ていました。They were watching a movie on the couch.
Example conversation
Ren and Misaki are discussing furniture for their living room.
- 蓮 Renリビングにカウチを置きたいです。Ribingu ni kauchi o okitai desu.I want to put a couch in the living room.
- 美咲 Misakiいいですね。どんな色がいいですか？Ii desu ne. Donna iro ga ii desu ka?That sounds good. What color would you like?
- 蓮 Renグレーのカウチがいいと思います。Gurē no kauchi ga ii to omoimasu.I think a gray couch would be good.
- 美咲 Misaki私も賛成です。一緒に買いに行きましょう。Watashi mo sansei desu. Issho ni kai ni ikimashou.I agree. Let's go buy one together.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “couch” translations and entries カウチ, 寝台, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
