Japanese word

天井

Pronunciation

Romajitenjō

Meaning

  • nounceiling

Example

この部屋の天井は白いです。ko no heya no ten jō wa shiro i de su

The ceiling of this room is white.

Illustration for 天井 (ceiling)

More examples

この家は天井が高くて、部屋が広く感じられます。ko no ie wa ten jō ga taka ku te heya ga hiro ku kan ji ra re ma su

This house has a high ceiling, so the room feels spacious.

Core concept

Forms the visible top of a room and separates its interior from the space above it.

Common phrases

  • 天井が高いten jō ga taka i

    have a high ceiling

  • 天井が低いten jō ga hiku i

    have a low ceiling

  • 天井に届くten jō ni todo ku

    reach the ceiling

Definition in Japanese

建物の内部で、上方を覆っている面。tate mono no nai bu de kami gata o ō tte i ru men

Word origin

天井 (tenjō) is a Sino-Japanese compound of 天 (ten, "sky") and 井 (shō, "well"), with a literal form that evokes an enclosed sky above.

Usage tips

  • A ceiling can be flat, sloped, or decorated, but it always refers to the indoor surface rather than the building's exterior top.

Opposites

Word lists with this word