Japanese word

カーテン

Pronunciation

Romajikāten

Meaning

  • nouncurtain

Example

朝、カーテンを開けます。asa kā te n o a ke ma su

I open the curtain in the morning.

Illustration for カーテン (curtain)

More examples

夜はカーテンを閉めて、部屋を暗くします。yoru wa kā te n o shi me te heya o kura ku shi ma su

At night, I close the curtain to darken the room.

Core concept

Covers an opening or separates a space by hanging down from above.

Common phrases

  • カーテンを開けるkā te n o a ke ru

    open the curtain

  • カーテンを閉めるkā te n o shi me ru

    close the curtain

Similar words

幕maku: A large cloth hung to cover an opening or separate areas, especially on a stage.

Definition in Japanese

窓や舞台などに掛けて、光や視線を遮ったり、空間を仕切ったりする布などの覆い。mado ya bu tai na do ni ka ke te hikari ya shi sen o saegi tta ri kū kan o shi ki tta ri su ru nuno na do no ō i

Word origin

カーテン (kāten) is a Japanese loanword from English curtain, which comes through Old French cortine from Latin cortina, meaning a hanging cloth or screen.

Usage tips

  • The phrase curtain call refers to performers returning to the stage after a show to bow, giving curtain a common use beyond the physical cloth.

Word lists with this word