Japanese word

土産

Pronunciation

Romajimiyage

Meaning

  • nounsouvenir

Example

京都で土産を買います。kyō to de miyage o ka i ma su

I buy a souvenir in Kyoto.

Illustration for 土産 (souvenir)

More examples

旅行から帰る前に、友達への土産を選びます。ryo kō ka ra kae ru mae ni tomo dachi e no miyage o era bi ma su

Before returning from my trip, I choose a souvenir for my friend.

Core concept

Refers to something brought back from a place as a keepsake or a local product.

Common phrases

  • 土産を買うmiyage o ka u

    buy a souvenir

  • 土産を選ぶmiyage o era bu

    choose a souvenir

  • 土産を渡すmiyage o wata su

    give a souvenir

Similar words

手土産temiyage: A gift taken when visiting someone or going to a social occasion.
名産品meisanhin: A product especially associated with and produced in a particular place.
記念品kinenhin: An object kept as a reminder of a place, event, or experience.

Definition in Japanese

旅行先や訪問先から持ち帰る記念の品や、その土地で作られた名物の品。ryo kō saki ya hō mon saki ka ra mo chi kae ru ki nen no shina ya so no to chi de tsuku ra re ta mei butsu no shina

Word origin

土産 (miyage) is a native Japanese word written with 土 (do, "earth") and 産 (san, "produce"); the kanji point to a product of the land, while the exact origin of the reading is uncertain.

Usage tips

  • In Japanese, 土産 (miyage) often means a local food or product brought home from a trip, so it covers more than a personal keepsake.

Other meanings

  • local specialtynoun

Word lists with this word