Japanese word

ナプキン

Pronunciation

Romajinapukin

Meaning

  • nounnapkin

Example

子どもがナプキンで口を拭きます。ko do mo ga na pu ki n de kuchi o fu ki ma su

The child wipes their mouth with a napkin.

Illustration for ナプキン (napkin)

More examples

こぼれた飲み物をナプキンで拭き取ります。ko bo re ta no mi mono o na pu ki n de fu ki to ri ma su

I wipe up the spilled drink with a napkin.

Core concept

Refers to a small piece of cloth or paper kept ready for wiping the mouth and hands during a meal.

Common phrases

  • ナプキンを敷くna pu ki n o shi ku

    lay out a napkin

  • ナプキンをたたむna pu ki n o ta ta mu

    fold a napkin

  • ナプキンを配るna pu ki n o kuba ru

    hand out napkins

Definition in Japanese

食事の際に口や手を拭うために用いる布や紙。shoku ji no sai ni kuchi ya te o nugū ta me ni mochi i ru nuno ya kami

Word origin

The Japanese loanword ナプキン (napukin) comes from English napkin, which passed through Middle English from Old French nappequin, a small cloth derived from nappe, "cloth".

Usage tips

  • In North American English, napkin is the usual everyday term, while serviette is also used in some other English-speaking regions.

Word lists with this word