棚
tana[ta̠na̠]
The Japanese word for shelf is 棚 (tana).
棚 refers to a structure. It is used to describe a single shelf as well as larger shelving units or bookcases.
Meaning: structure (noun)
How do you pronounce it?
tana
Did you know?
- The word 棚 appears in the phrase 棚からぼたもち, which means receiving a great windfall by pure luck. It literally translates to 'a rice cake falling from the shelf'.
- The word 棚 is used in the idiom 棚に上げる, which means to conveniently ignore a problem or pretend one's own faults do not exist. It literally describes placing something on a 'shelf' to keep it out of sight.
- In Japanese retail, the word 棚 is central to the term 棚卸し (tanaoroshi), which means 'stocktaking' or 'inventory'. It literally translates to 'descending the shelves'.
Examples in context
- それを棚に戻して。Put it back on the shelf.This sentence shows how to say put something back on the 棚.Tatoeba #10630183 by small_snow, translation #6577509 by Eccles17
- 棚を作るつもりなの？Are you going to make a shelf?This sentence is a question about whether you intend to make a 棚.Tatoeba #8784912 by bunbuku, translation #6878831 by Eccles17
- 本が一冊棚から落ちた。A book dropped from the shelf.This sentence describes a book falling from a 棚.Tatoeba #81671 by small_snow, translation #322044 by CK
- 38 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two people are moving into a new apartment.
- 陽葵 Himariこの部屋には棚が足りないね。Kono heya ni wa tana ga tarinai ne.This room doesn't have enough shelves, does it?
- 大翔 Hirotoそうだね、まずは棚を買おう。Sou da ne, mazu wa tana o kaou.You're right, let's buy a shelf first.
- 陽葵 Himari大翔君ならいい棚を選べるよね。Hiroto-kun nara ii tana o eraberu yo ne.You can pick a good shelf, Hiroto.
- 大翔 Hiroto任せて、おしゃれな棚を探すよ。Makasete, oshare na tana o sagasu yo.Leave it to me, I'll look for a stylish shelf.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “shelf” translations and entries 棚, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
