JLPT · Level 106
30 words
Japanese word
床の間
Pronunciation
Romajitokonoma
Meaning
- nounalcove
Example
床の間に花を飾ります。toko no ma ni hana o kaza ri ma su
We display flowers in the alcove.
More examples
祖父の家には立派な床の間があります。so fu no ie ni wa rip pa na toko no ma ga a ri ma su
My grandfather's house has a beautiful alcove.
Core concept
A room contains a specially raised recess where a carefully chosen object can be displayed.
Common phrases
床の間があるtoko no ma ga a ru
have an alcove
床の間の置物toko no ma no oki mono
ornament in the alcove
Definition in Japanese
掛け軸や花などを飾るために、和室の一隅に設ける一段高い空間。ka ke jiku ya hana na do o kaza ru ta me ni wa shitsu no ichi gū ni mō ke ru ichi dan taka i kū kan
Word origin
床の間 (tokonoma) combines 床 (toko, "floor or platform") with 間 (ma, "space"), naming a raised space within a room.
Usage tips
- A 床の間 (tokonoma) traditionally provides a fixed display area for items such as a hanging scroll or seasonal flowers rather than serving as ordinary storage.