鍋
nabe[na̠be̞]
The English word pot is translated into Japanese as 鍋 (nabe).
鍋 refers to a vessel used for cooking or storing food. Metonymically, the word is also used to refer to the various types of hot pot dishes themselves, as seen in the term 鍋料理 (hot pot dishes).
Meaning: vessel for cooking or storing food etc. (noun)
How do you pronounce it?
nabe
Did you know?
- While 鍋 means 'pot', the term 鍋を囲む (to surround the pot) is a common cultural expression describing the act of bonding with family or friends over a shared meal.
- Depending on the region, the types of 鍋 served can vary wildly, such as the fermented soybean-based ちゃんこ鍋 famously eaten by sumo wrestlers to gain weight.
- The word 鍋 originally combined the Old Japanese words for 'small snack' and 'pot', suggesting it was once specifically associated with appetizers.
Examples in context
- 鍋に蓋をして。Cover the pot.This sentence is useful for learning how to say 'Cover the pot' using 鍋.Tatoeba #11582511 by small_snow, translation #10357970 by sundown
- 鍋の水は満杯だった。The pot was filled with water.This sentence is useful for learning how to say 'The pot was filled with water' using 鍋.Tatoeba #13697764 by small_snow, translation #12480022 by Lumi
- 鍋がふきこぼれているよ。The pot is boiling over.This sentence is useful for learning how to say 'The pot is boiling over' using 鍋.Tatoeba #123212 by bunbuku, translation #33415 by CK
- 日本料理の鍋は美味しいです。Japanese cuisine's hot pot is delicious.
- この金物は鍋として使えます。This metalware can be used as a pot.
- 山形方言では、鍋を「がま」と言います。In Yamagata dialect, we say "gama" for a pot.
- 10 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Misaki and Kenta are preparing dinner together.
- 美咲 Misaki健太、どの鍋を使う？Kenta, dono nabe o tsukau?Kenta, which pot should I use?
- 健太 Kentaあそこにある大きい鍋にして。Asoko ni aru ookii nabe ni shite.Use the big pot over there.
- 美咲 Misakiわかった。鍋に水を入れておくね。Wakatta. Nabe ni mizu o irete oku ne.Got it. I'll put water in the pot.
- 健太 Kentaお願い。ありがとう。Onegai. Arigatou.Please do. Thanks.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “pot” translations and entries 鍋, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 鍋, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
