Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 土産 | miyage | [mʲija̠ɡe̞] (narrow) [do̞sã̠ɴ] (narrow) |
| 記念品 | kinenhin | [kʲinẽ̞ɰ̃çĩɴ] (narrow) |
| 記念物 | kinenbutsu | [kʲinẽ̞mbɯ̟t͡sɨ] (narrow) |
In Japanese, the term for a souvenir depends on whether you are talking about a gift brought back from a trip, a general memento or a physical monument. The most common way to refer to souvenirs, especially food or goods brought back from a trip to give to others, is 土産. In daily conversation, it is most natural to add the honorific prefix o to make お土産.
Which one should you use?
土産 (miyage) is specifically used for food or goods brought back from a trip to give to others. In contrast, 記念品 (kinenhin) refers more generally to a commemorative keepsake or memento. The term 記念物 (kinenbutsu) is different from both, as it refers to a physical monument or a historical landmark rather than a small portable souvenir.
How do you pronounce it?
miyage
When do people say it?
It is standard practice in Japanese culture to bring お土産, which are usually regional food specialties, back for colleagues or family after a trip.
Did you know?
- While お土産 usually refers to gifts brought back from a trip, it can also describe a gift given to a host when visiting someone's home for the first time.
- The word 土産 likely began as a way to describe items kept in a small box at a shrine, specifically 'shrine box'.
- In Japanese workplaces, giving お土産 to colleagues is often viewed as a social obligation to maintain harmony and apologize for one's absence during a vacation.
Examples in context
- ホテルの中に土産品店はありますか？Is there a souvenir shop in the hotel?This sentence is useful for asking if a souvenir shop is located within a hotel using 土産.Tatoeba #196194 by KK_kaku_, translation #33370 by CK
- こちらにお土産屋さんはありますか？Are there any souvenir shops here?This sentence is useful for asking if there are any souvenir shops in an area using 土産.Tatoeba #8814815 by bunbuku, translation #894804 by pauldhunt
- これね、オーストラリアからのお土産。This is a souvenir from Australia.This sentence is useful for identifying a specific item as a souvenir from Australia using 土産.Tatoeba #10298509 by small_snow, translation #10298464 by CK
- この地域のお土産って何がおすすめですか？What souvenirs from this region do you recommend?
- 京都で美しい屏風を買いました！I bought a beautiful folding screen in Kyoto!
- それは素晴らしいお土産ですね。That's a fantastic souvenir!
- 5 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Kenta and Misaki are talking at the office after Kenta's vacation.
- 美咲 Misaki健太さん、旅行はどうでしたか？Kenta-san, ryokou wa dou deshita ka?Kenta, how was your trip?
- 健太 Kentaとても楽しかったです。これ、美咲さんへのお土産です。Totemo tanoshikatta desu. Kore, Misaki-san e no omiyage desu.It was very fun. This is a souvenir for you, Misaki.
- 美咲 Misakiわあ、ありがとうございます！Waa, arigatou gozaimasu!Wow, thank you so much!
- 健太 Kenta気に入ってもらえると嬉しいです。Ki ni itte moraeru to ureshii desu.I hope you like it.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “souvenir” translations and entries 土産, 記念品, 記念物, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 土産, 記念品, 記念物, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
