Japanese word

銭湯

Pronunciation

Romajisentō

Meaning

  • nounpublic bath

Example

家族で銭湯へ行きます。ka zoku de sen tō e i ki ma su

I go to a public bath with my family.

Illustration for 銭湯 (public bath)

More examples

この町には昔ながらの銭湯が残っています。ko no machi ni wa mukashi na ga ra no sen tō ga noko tte i ma su

A traditional public bath remains in this town.

Core concept

It denotes a shared bathing place where people pay to wash and bathe instead of using a private bath at home.

Common phrases

  • 銭湯に行くsen tō ni i ku

    go to a public bath

  • 銭湯に入るsen tō ni hai ru

    bathe at a public bath

  • 銭湯に通うsen tō ni kayo u

    frequent public baths

Similar words

公衆浴場kōshūyokujō: A formal term for a facility open to the public for paid bathing.
風呂屋furoya: A casual term for a public bath where people pay to bathe.

Definition in Japanese

料金を払って入浴するための共同浴場。ryō kin o hara tte nyū yoku su ru ta me no kyō dō yoku jō

Word origin

銭湯 (sentō) combines 銭 (sen, "money") and 湯 (tō, "hot water"), reflecting a bathhouse used for a fee.

Usage tips

  • A 銭湯 (sentō) generally uses heated ordinary water, while an 温泉 (onsen) is associated with naturally hot spring water.

Word lists with this word