Japanese word

看板

Pronunciation

Romajikanban

Meaning

  • nounsign

Example

あの店の看板は赤いです。a no mise no kan ban wa aka i de su

That store's sign is red.

Illustration for 看板 (sign)

More examples

店の前に新しい看板を置きました。mise no mae ni atara shi i kan ban o o ki ma shi ta

I put a new sign in front of the store.

Core concept

A visible display identifies a place or announces what is offered there.

Common phrases

  • 看板を見るkan ban o mi ru

    look at a sign

  • 看板を掲げるkan ban o kaka ge ru

    put up a sign

  • 看板を下ろすkan ban o o ro su

    take down a sign

Similar words

標識hyōshiki: A posted marker shows a route, rule, destination, or boundary in a visible way.
案内板annaiban: A board provides directions or information about a building, area, or facility.

Definition in Japanese

店や施設の名前、営業内容などを表示し、人に知らせるために掲げる板や標識。mise ya shi setsu no na mae ei gyō nai yō na do o hyō ji shi hito ni shi ra se ru ta me ni kaka ge ru ita ya hyō shiki

Word origin

The compound 看板 (kanban) combines 看 (kan, "watch") and 板 (ban, "board") for a board that displays a shop's name or business.

Usage tips

  • The Japanese term 看板 (kanban) gives English the business word kanban, which names a work system that shows tasks moving through stages.

Other meanings

  • billboardnoun

Word lists with this word