温泉
onsen[õ̞ɰ̃sẽ̞ɴ]
In Japanese, 温泉 (onsen) means a Japanese hot spring or a Japanese-style resort hotel located at a hot spring.
The term 温泉 refers to the natural hot spring itself or the specialized resort hotels that cater to visitors. While 温泉 is the general term, more specific terms exist: 露天風呂 refers specifically to an outdoor hot spring bath and 湯治場 describes a location specifically visited for hot spring therapy. If you are referring to the actual water from the spring, you would use 温泉のお湯.
Meaning: a Japanese hot spring, a Japanese-style resort hotel at a hot spring (noun)
How do you pronounce it?
onsen
Did you know?
- In Japanese culture, the 'onsen' experience is often inseparable from the concept of 'naked communion', where social status is stripped away alongside clothing.
- In Japan, some 温泉 are designated as 'mixed bathing' baths, known as 混浴 (konyoku), where people of all genders bathe together.
- A traditional 温泉 experience often includes a yukata, a light cotton kimono that guests wear not only in the hotel but also when walking through the town.
Examples in context
- おみやげの温泉卵だよ。It's a souvenir onsen egg.This example shows how to use 温泉 in the context of a souvenir.Tatoeba #10899526 by small_snow, translation #13693662 by terrywallwork
- ひなびた温泉が好きです。I like onsen off the beaten track.This sentence uses 温泉 to describe a preference for a specific type of setting.Tatoeba #197460 by KK_kaku_, translation #516022 by blay_paul
- 今週末は温泉に行く余裕はないね。すっからかんだ。I can't afford to go to the onsen this weekend. I'm broke.This example demonstrates a sentence about the inability to afford a trip to the 温泉.Tatoeba #172357 by bunbuku, translation #242118 by CM
- 温泉に行きましょうLet's go to the onsen
- 温泉が大好きですI love onsen
- 以前、温泉に行ったことありますか？Have you been to the onsen before?
- 2 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Hana and Ren are planning a trip for the weekend.
- 陽葵 Himari今度の休みは温泉に行きたいな。Kondo no yasumi wa onsen ni ikitai na.I want to go to a hot spring this coming break.
- 蓮 Renいいね。どこかおすすめの温泉はある？Ii ne. Doko ka osusume no onsen wa aru?Sounds good. Do you have any recommended hot springs?
- 陽葵 Himari箱根の温泉が有名だよ。Hakone no onsen ga yuumei da yo.The hot springs in Hakone are famous.
- 蓮 Renよし、そこにしよう！Yoshi, soko ni shiyou!Alright, let's go there!
Sources
- Wiktionary, “onsen” translations and entries 温泉, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
