ランドセル
randoseru
The Japanese word for school bag is ランドセル (randoseru).
ランドセル refers to a specific type of firm leather backpack used by elementary school students in Japan.
Which one should you use?
While ランドセル refers specifically to the traditional elementary school bag, the term リュックサック is the general term used for any rucksack or backpack.
How do you pronounce it?
randoseru
When do people say it?
In Japan, the term specifically refers to the iconic, sturdy backpacks used by elementary school students.
Did you know?
- The word ランドセル may have come from the German word Landser meaning 'soldier' because of the knapsacks German soldiers wore.
- Despite being a ubiquitous symbol of childhood, the name ランドセル is actually a loanword from a European language.
- Because they are designed to be extremely durable, many Japanese families treat a ランドセル as a major investment, often researching brands for months before buying one.
Examples in context
- 最近のランドセルの重さは、平均1.1kg。砂糖一袋分の重さ程度しかありません。The average school bag currently weighs on average 1.1kg. Which is only about the weight of a bag of sugar.This sentence is useful for noting the typical weight of a ランドセル.Tatoeba #8572162 by small_snow, translation #10184441 by tsp_2
- 新しいランドセルを買いました。Atarashii randoseru o kaimashita.I bought a new school bag.
- このランドセルはとても丈夫です。Kono randoseru wa totemo joubu desu.This school bag is very durable.
Example conversation
Kenta and Misaki are looking at a child's belongings.
- 健太 Kentaこのランドセル、すごく大きいね。Kono randoseru, sugoku ookii ne.This school bag is really big, isn't it?
- 美咲 Misakiうん、小学生にはちょうどいいサイズだよ。Un, shōgakusei ni wa chōdo ii saizu dayo.Yeah, it is just the right size for elementary students.
- 健太 Kenta中には何が入っているのかな。Naka ni wa nani ga haitte iru no kana.I wonder what is inside it.
- 美咲 Misaki教科書と筆箱が入っていると思うよ。Kyōkasho to fudebako ga haitte iru to omou yo.I think there are textbooks and a pencil case in there.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ランドセル, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
