ドリンクホルダー
dorinku horudā
The Japanese phrase for cup holder is ドリンクホルダー (dorinku horudā).
In English, you might say 'cup holder', but Japanese speakers almost exclusively use ドリンクホルダー to refer to the device used to hold a cup or bottle in place, particularly in cars or cafes.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is a loanword from English, combining ドリンク (drink) and ホルダー (holder).
Which one should you use?
While ドリンクホルダー is the most common way to describe the device, you may also encounter カップホルダー, which is a standard term used across Japan. In some regions or specific contexts, you might hear グラスホルダー used to mean a glass holder.
Is it said differently in some regions?
The term グラスホルダー may be used to refer to cup holders in some regions or contexts.
How do you pronounce it?
dorinku horudā
Did you know?
- If you use the word カップホルダー, a car dealer might assume you are looking for specialized external equipment. In a Japanese automotive context, the built-in compartment is almost exclusively referred to as a ドリンクホルダー.
- Japanese speakers rarely use a native Japanese word for 'holder' in this context, preferring the English loanword ホルダー over the native 保持器.
- Japanese has a specific word for the 'condensation' that collects in a ドリンクホルダー, called 結露 (ketsuro), which is often discussed in car maintenance guides.
Examples in context
- この車、コップホルダーが便利だよね。This car has convenient cup holders, right?
- このカフェテーブルにはコップ置きがついています。This café table has cup holders.
- 車のドリンクホルダーが壊れた。kuruma no dorinku horudā ga kowareta.The car's cup holder broke.
- ドリンクホルダーに飲み物を入れて。dorinku horudā ni nomimono o irete.Put the drink in the cup holder.
- このドリンクホルダーは使いやすいね。kono dorinku horudā wa tsukaiyasui ne.This cup holder is easy to use, isn't it?
Example conversation
Inside a car during a road trip.
- 陽太 Yota美咲、ドリンクホルダーは空いてる？Misaki, dorinku horudā wa aiteru?Misaki, is the cup holder empty?
- 美咲 Misakiうん、陽太、どうぞ。Un, Yōta, dōzo.Yes, Yota, go ahead.
- 陽太 Yotaありがとう。コーヒーを置くよ。Arigatō. Kōhī o oku yo.Thanks. I'll put my coffee down.
- 美咲 Misaki運転中にこぼさないように気をつけてね。Unten-chū ni kobosannai yō ni ki o tsukete ne.Be careful not to spill it while driving.
