Japanese word

盆

Pronunciation

Romajibon

Meaning

  • nountray

Example

盆にお茶を置きます。bon ni o cha o o ki ma su

I put tea on a tray.

Illustration for 盆 (tray)

More examples

この盆は軽くて持ちやすいです。ko no bon wa karu ku te mo chi ya su i de su

This tray is light and easy to carry.

Core concept

Presents a low-sided surface that lets objects be moved or served as a group.

Common phrases

  • 盆に乗せるbon ni no se ru

    put on a tray

  • 盆を運ぶbon o hako bu

    carry a tray

  • 盆を片付けるbon o kata zu ke ru

    put away a tray

Similar words

トレーtorē: A flat container with low edges for carrying food, drinks, or other items.

Definition in Japanese

飲食物などを載せて持ち運ぶ、浅く平らな器。in shoku butsu na do o no se te mo chi hako bu asa ku tai ra na utsuwa

Word origin

盆 (bon, "tray") comes from the Chinese character 盆, which denotes a basin or shallow vessel; Japanese retains this container-related meaning in the word's Sino-Japanese reading.

Usage tips

  • In everyday Japanese, お盆 (obon) can mean a household tray, while 盆 (bon) also refers to the Bon holiday, so context distinguishes the two meanings.

Word lists with this word