箱
[ha̠ko̞]
The Japanese word 箱 (hako) means "box".
箱 refers to a physical box or container.
What does it mean word for word?
The word 箱 literally means "box".
Did you know?
- Japanese uses 箱 (hako) in the phrase 箱入り娘 (hako-iri musume), referring to a sheltered daughter who has been 'kept in a box'.
- In the nightlife and music scenes, 箱 (hako) is common slang for a venue, such as a nightclub or a concert hall.
- The word 箱 likely began its life as a term for a wicker basket imported from continental Asia. This suggests that the modern concept of a 'box' evolved from older, woven basketry techniques.
Examples in context
- 私はプレゼントを美しい箱に入れました。I put the gift in a beautiful box.
- 今日は引っ越しのためにたくさんの箱を用意します。Today, I will prepare many boxes for the move.
- 食べかけの弁当をこの箱に入れて持って行きましょう。Let's put the half-eaten bento in this box and take it with us.
- この箱はとても重いです。Kono hako wa totemo omoi desu.This box is very heavy.
- きれいな箱に入っています。Kirei na hako ni haitte imasu.It is in a beautiful box.
- 机の上に箱を置いてください。Tsukue no ue ni hako o oite kudasai.Please put the box on the desk.
Example conversation
Two siblings are cleaning up their room.
- 陽葵 Himari陽太、その箱を運べる？Hinata, sono hako o hakoberu?Hinata, can you carry that box?
- 陽太 Yotaうん、大丈夫だよ。Un, daijoubu da yo.Yeah, I can do it.
- 陽葵 Himariありがとう、助かるわ。Arigatou, tasukaru wa.Thank you, that helps a lot.
- 陽太 Yota中身は何が入っているの？Nakami wa nani ga haitte iru no?What is inside it?
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 箱, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 箱, CC BY-SA 4.0.
