丼
[dõ̞mbɯ̟ɾʲi]
The English phrase "rice bowl" translates to Japanese as 丼.
In a culinary context, 丼 (donburi) refers to both the physical bowl and to the specific type of meal consisting of rice topped with various ingredients. To categorize the group of rice bowl dishes, the term 丼物 (donburi-mono) is used.
How does it change in a sentence?
Adding the suffix 物 (mono, meaning 'thing/item') creates the term 丼物 (donburi-mono), which is used to categorize the group of rice bowl dishes.
Did you know?
- The term 丼 might not just describe food, but could also mean a 'rough' or 'approximate' calculation, as seen in the phrase 丼勘定 (donburi kanjō).
- One theory suggests the word 丼 is onomatopoeic, mimicking the heavy 'plop' or 'thud' sound of a large portion of food being placed into a bowl.
Examples in context
- 新しい丼が届きました。Atarashii donburi ga todokimashita.A new rice bowl has arrived.
- この丼はとても大きいです。Kono donburi wa totemo ookii desu.This rice bowl is very large.
- 陶器の丼を洗ってください。Touki no donburi o aratte kudasai.Please wash the ceramic rice bowl.
Example conversation
Yui and Ren are preparing to set the table for dinner.
- 結衣 Yui蓮、丼を出してくれる？Ren, donburi o dashite kureru?Ren, can you get the rice bowls?
- 蓮 Renいいよ。何個必要かな？Ii yo. Nan-ko hitsuyo kana?Sure. How many do we need?
- 結衣 Yui二人分だから、丼を二つお願い。Futari bun dakara, donburi o futatsu onegai.It's for two people, so two rice bowls please.
- 蓮 Renわかった。今持っていくね。Wakatta. Ima motte iku ne.Got it. I'll bring them now.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 丼, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 丼, CC BY-SA 4.0.
