食洗機
shokusenki[ɕo̞kɯ̟̊sẽ̞ŋʲkʲi]
The Japanese word for dishwasher is 食洗機, also known as shokusenki. Wiktionary also lists 食器洗浄機 (shokkisenjōki) and 食器洗い機 (shokkiaraiki).
Meaning: machine (noun)
Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 食洗機 | shokusenki | [ɕo̞kɯ̟̊sẽ̞ŋʲkʲi] (narrow) |
| 食器洗浄機 | shokkisenjōki | |
| 食器洗い機 | shokkiaraiki | [ɕo̞k̚ʲkʲia̠ɾa̠ikʲi] (narrow) |
| 皿洗い機 | sara-araiki |
The term refers to a machine used for washing dishes.
What does it mean word for word?
The contraction 食洗機 is composed of 食 (food/eating), 洗 (wash) and 機 (machine).
Which one should you use?
食器洗浄機 is the full, formal technical term, while 食洗機 is a common, shortened version used in daily conversation. 食器洗い機 and 皿洗い機 are also alternative ways to express the concept of a dishwashing machine.
How do you pronounce it?
shokusenki
Did you know?
- The kanji 機 in 食洗機 is used for any mechanical device, and is the same character used in the words for 'airplane' 飛行機 and 'washing machine' 洗濯機.
- In Japan, many 食洗機 are designed as small countertop units rather than the large built-in versions common in the US. This is due to the smaller size of Japanese kitchens and the tradition of hand-washing dishes.
- The kanji in 食器 (shokki), used in the formal term, literally breaks down to 'eating tools', a concept that reflects the traditional Japanese view of utensils as essential extensions of the dining experience.
Examples in context
- 新しい食洗機、買ったんだ。I bought a new dishwasher.This sentence is useful for talking about purchasing a new 食洗機.Tatoeba #8925027 by small_snow, translation #8925023 by CK
- トムはこれまで食洗機を使ったことがなかった。Tom hasn't used a dishwasher before.This sentence is useful for describing someone's experience using a 食洗機.Tatoeba #10544179 by small_snow, translation #12599182 by urro
- この食洗機は大きすぎるよ。シンク下に収まらないよ。This dishwasher is too big. It won't fit under the counter.This sentence is useful for discussing the size and fit of a 食洗機.Tatoeba #10680223 by small_snow, translation #4978819 by Hybrid
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
A couple is discussing kitchen appliances in their new home.
- 大翔 Hiroto新しい食洗機、設置できたよ。Atarashii shokusenki, setchi dekita yo.I managed to install the new dishwasher.
- 美咲 Misakiやった！これで料理に集中できるね。Yatta! Kore de ryouri ni shuuchuu dekiru ne.Yay! Now I can focus on cooking.
- 大翔 Hiroto美咲は、使い方は分かった？Misaki wa, tsukaikata wa wakatta?Misaki, do you know how to use it?
- 美咲 Misakiうん、ボタンを押すだけだから簡単だよ。Un, botan o osu dake dakara kantan da yo.Yes, it's easy because you just press a button.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “dishwasher” translations and entries 食洗機, 食器洗い機, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
