Japanese word

やかん

Pronunciation

Romajiyakan

Meaning

  • nounkettle

Example

やかんに水を入れます。ya ka n ni mizu o i re ma su

I put water in the kettle.

Illustration for やかん (kettle)

More examples

そのやかんは注ぎ口が細くて使いやすいです。so no ya ka n wa tsu gi kuchi ga hoso ku te tsuka i ya su i de su

That kettle has a narrow spout and is easy to use.

Core concept

Describes a container designed to heat water and pour the resulting hot water.

Common phrases

  • やかんでお湯を沸かすya ka n de o yu o wa ka su

    boil water in a kettle

  • やかんのふたya ka n no fu ta

    kettle lid

  • やかんを火にかけるya ka n o hi ni ka ke ru

    put the kettle on the stove

Similar words

電気ケトルdenkiketoru: A container with an electric heater that boils water without a stove.
ポットpotto: A container or appliance designed to store and serve hot water.

Definition in Japanese

水を加熱して湯を作る、取っ手と注ぎ口の付いた容器。mizu o ka netsu shi te yu o tsuku ru to tte to tsu gi kuchi no tsu i ta yō ki

Word origin

やかん (yakan) is a shortened form of 薬缶 (yakkan), a Sino-Japanese compound of 薬 (yaku, "medicine") and 缶 (kan, "can or container").

Usage tips

  • A Japanese household scene may distinguish やかん (yakan), used on a stove, from 電気ケトル (denki ketoru), which heats water electrically.

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