At the A1 level, you should learn that 'yunomi' is the word for a Japanese teacup. It is used for drinking green tea. It does not have a handle. You can use it in simple sentences like 'This is a yunomi' (Kore wa yunomi desu) or 'I like this yunomi' (Kono yunomi ga suki desu). Focus on recognizing the word when you are in a restaurant or a Japanese home. Remember that it is different from a coffee mug (magukappu). You can count them using 'hitotsu, futatsu' (one, two) at this level. It is a very common object in daily life.
At the A2 level, you can start using 'yunomi' with more descriptive adjectives and particles. For example, 'Atsui ocha o yunomi ni iremasu' (I pour hot tea into the teacup). You should understand that 'yunomi' is a compound word: 'yu' (hot water) and 'nomi' (drinking). You might see this word in shopping contexts. You can also learn the difference between 'yunomi' and 'chawan' (rice bowl). In A2, you should be able to ask where the teacups are in a store or ask someone to pass you a teacup during a meal.
At the B1 level, you should be familiar with the cultural context of the 'yunomi'. This includes knowing about 'meoto yunomi' (matched pairs for couples) and the fact that they are often made of ceramic (touki). You can use the word in more complex sentences involving sequences of actions, like 'Yunomi o aratte, tana ni shimaimashita' (I washed the teacups and put them away on the shelf). You should also be aware of the counter 'kyaku' used for formal sets of cups. You might discuss the design or the feel of the cup in your hand.
At the B2 level, you can use 'yunomi' to discuss Japanese aesthetics and craftsmanship. You might talk about different styles of pottery like 'Arita-yaki' or 'Bizen-yaki' in relation to 'yunomi'. You should understand the nuance of why a 'yunomi' has no handle—to feel the temperature. You can use the word in formal settings, perhaps using the honorific 'o-yunomi' if appropriate, though it's rare. You can also explain the difference between a daily 'yunomi' and a formal 'kumidashi' cup to others.
At the C1 level, you should be able to appreciate the literary and historical nuances of 'yunomi'. You might encounter the word in classical literature or essays about 'wabi-sabi'. You can discuss how the shape and glaze of a 'yunomi' reflect the season or the artist's philosophy. You should be comfortable using the word in technical discussions about ceramics, such as the 'kodai' (foot) or 'koshimawari' (waist) of the cup. You can also use it metaphorically to describe the warmth and simplicity of Japanese domestic life.
At the C2 level, your mastery of 'yunomi' includes an effortless understanding of its place in the semiotics of Japanese culture. You can engage in deep academic or artistic critiques of specific 'yunomi' pieces, discussing their 'keshiki' (glaze scenery) and historical lineage. You understand the subtle social signals sent by the choice of a particular 'yunomi' for a guest. You can use the term in high-level translations, ensuring that the cultural weight of the object is preserved rather than simply translating it as 'teacup'.

湯飲み in 30 Sekunden

  • A handleless ceramic cup used specifically for daily Japanese green tea drinking.
  • The name comes from 'yu' (hot water) and 'nomi' (drinking), indicating its function.
  • Typically cylindrical and taller than ceremony bowls, designed to be held with two hands.
  • A central object in Japanese hospitality and daily domestic life across all social classes.

The Japanese word 湯飲み (yunomi) refers specifically to a handleless ceramic cup designed for drinking green tea in everyday settings. Unlike the formal chawan used in traditional tea ceremonies, which are wider and shallow, the yunomi is typically tall, cylindrical, and designed to be held with both hands to feel the warmth of the tea. The word itself is a compound derived from 湯 (yu), meaning hot water, and 飲み (nomi), the stem of the verb 飲む (nomu), meaning to drink. In a Japanese household, you will find several yunomi, often sold in pairs known as meoto yunomi (husband and wife cups), where the husband's cup is slightly larger than the wife's. This word is essential for anyone visiting Japan, as it distinguishes the vessel used for Japanese tea from the magukappu (mug) used for coffee or the kappu used for Western black tea.

Vessel Type
Handleless ceramic or porcelain cylindrical cup.
Primary Use
Daily consumption of green tea (sencha, bancha, hojicha).
Materiality
Often stoneware or porcelain, varying by region (e.g., Mashiko-yaki, Arita-yaki).

おばあちゃんはいつもお気に入りの湯飲みでお茶を飲みます。(Grandmother always drinks tea from her favorite teacup.)

When you enter a traditional Japanese restaurant or a home, the yunomi is a symbol of hospitality. It is not just a container; it is an object of tactile appreciation. Because it lacks a handle, the user must wait until the tea has cooled to a drinkable temperature before the cup can be comfortably held, which encourages a mindful and patient drinking experience. This physical interaction is a key aspect of Japanese tea culture, where the heat of the liquid is communicated directly through the clay to the palms of the hands.

この湯飲みは益子焼の伝統的なデザインです。(This teacup is a traditional Mashiko-ware design.)

The aesthetic of the yunomi ranges from the rustic and earthy wabi-sabi style to brightly painted Kutani-yaki. While Western cups are often judged by their decoration, a yunomi is often judged by its 'koshidaka' (height of the hip) and 'kodai' (the foot ring). Collectors often look for the 'scenery' (keshiki) in the glaze, which refers to the natural patterns formed during the firing process. Whether it is a cheap plastic version in a conveyor-belt sushi shop or a thousand-dollar piece of art, the yunomi remains the most ubiquitous vessel in Japanese life.

Cultural Nuance
Holding the cup with two hands is a sign of politeness and appreciation for the tea's warmth.

Using yunomi in a sentence is relatively straightforward because it functions as a standard countable noun. However, there are specific verbs and counters that frequently accompany it. When counting yunomi, the counter kyaku (客) is used for formal sets, while ko (個) is used for general informal counting. Common verbs include dasu (to serve/bring out), susugu (to rinse), and shiman (to put away). Because the yunomi is an object of daily use, it appears in many domestic contexts. For example, 'Bring the teacups' would be 'Yunomi o motte kite'.

来客用に、五客セットの湯飲みを買いました。(I bought a set of five teacups for guests.)

In grammatical structures, yunomi often acts as the direct object of the particle o (を). It can also be modified by adjectives describing its appearance or origin. For instance, 'utsukushii yunomi' (beautiful teacup) or 'touki no yunomi' (ceramic teacup). When discussing the act of drinking, the particle de (で) is used to indicate the vessel: 'Yunomi de ocha o nomu' (Drink tea with/from a teacup). This distinguishes the container from the beverage itself.

Grammar Pattern: [Object] + を + [Verb]
湯飲みを洗う (Wash the teacup) / 湯飲みを並べる (Line up the teacups).
Grammar Pattern: [Object] + で + [Verb]
湯飲みでお茶を飲む (Drink tea from a teacup).

熱いお茶を湯飲みに注いでください。(Please pour the hot tea into the teacup.)

Advanced usage might involve using yunomi in the context of gift-giving or artisanal appreciation. In these cases, the honorific prefix 'o' is sometimes added (oyunomi), though this is less common than with food items like ocha. Instead, the politeness is usually reflected in the surrounding verbs. For example, 'Yunomi o sashiageru' (to humbly give a teacup). In literature, the yunomi might be used metaphorically to represent home life, stability, or the passage of time, as a chipped or well-worn yunomi tells the story of many years of use.

父への誕生日に、名前入りの湯飲みを贈りました。(I gave my father a teacup with his name on it for his birthday.)

You will encounter the word yunomi in several key environments across Japan. The most common is the Japanese home. If you are staying with a host family or visiting a Japanese friend, they might ask, 'Yunomi wa dore ga ii?' (Which teacup would you like?). It is also a staple word in traditional Japanese restaurants (ryotei) and izakaya. When ordering tea at a sushi restaurant, especially the self-service tea at kaiten-zushi (conveyor-belt sushi), you will see large yunomi with the names of different fish written in kanji. These are iconic examples of the vessel.

回転寿司の湯飲みには、魚の名前がたくさん書いてあります。(The teacups at conveyor-belt sushi restaurants have many fish names written on them.)

Department stores (depato) and ceramic shops in places like Kyoto or Kanazawa will have entire sections dedicated to yunomi. You will hear shop assistants using the word while explaining the characteristics of the glaze or the kiln where the cup was made. In the world of Japanese crafts (kogei), yunomi is a fundamental category. You might hear it at exhibitions or in documentaries about famous potters who spend their lives perfecting the 'perfect' yunomi that fits comfortably in the hand.

In Restaurants
Waitstaff: 'Yunomi o otorie kudasai' (Please take a teacup).
In Shopping
Customer: 'Kono yunomi, hoka no iro wa arimasu ka?' (Does this teacup come in other colors?).

Furthermore, yunomi appears frequently in Japanese media, particularly in 'slice of life' anime or dramas. A scene of an elderly couple sitting on a veranda (engawa) drinking tea from their yunomi is a visual shorthand for peace and tradition. In literature, the clatter of a yunomi being placed on a table can set a specific mood. Because it is so deeply tied to the rhythm of daily life—morning tea, tea after a meal, tea for a guest—the word carries a sense of domesticity and comfort that a Western 'cup' might not convey in a Japanese context.

旅館に着くと、まず温かいお茶と湯飲みが出てきた。(Upon arriving at the inn, hot tea and a teacup were first brought out.)

The most frequent mistake English speakers make is using the generic word kappu (cup) or magukappu (mug) when they specifically mean a Japanese teacup. While people will understand you, it sounds unnatural. A kappu usually implies something with a handle or a Western-style coffee cup. Another common error is confusing yunomi with chawan. In modern Japanese, chawan almost exclusively refers to a rice bowl (gohan-chawan), unless you are in the specific context of a tea ceremony (matcha-chawan). If you ask for a 'chawan' of tea in a normal restaurant, they might think you want a bowl of rice.

✕ コーヒーを湯飲みで飲みます。(I drink coffee from a yunomi.) - While possible, it's culturally odd; use 'magukappu' instead.

Another mistake involves the physical handling of the yunomi. Because it has no handle, beginners often try to grab it from the top or with one hand while the tea is scalding. The correct way—and the way the word's usage implies—is to support the bottom with one hand and hold the side with the other. In terms of vocabulary, don't confuse yunomi with kyusu (teapot). The kyusu is where you brew the tea, and the yunomi is where you drink it. Mixing these up is a common beginner slip-up.

Mistake: Over-generalization
Using 'kappu' for everything. Use 'yunomi' for green tea to sound like a native.
Mistake: Confusion with Rice Bowls
Calling a yunomi a 'chawan' in a casual setting. Use 'yunomi' for the cup and 'chawan' for the rice bowl.

Lastly, be careful with the kanji. While often written in hiragana (ゆのみ) or with the kanji 湯呑み (adding the 'mi' okurigana), the standard kanji is 湯飲み. Some people might use 湯呑, omitting the 'mi'. All are readable, but for learners, sticking to the standard 湯飲み or 湯呑み is best. Avoiding the use of yunomi for cold drinks is also a subtle point; while you can drink cold water from it, it's primarily intended for hot tea. For cold water or juice, a glass (gurasu) is the appropriate term and vessel.

湯飲みに冷たいコーラを入れました。(I put cold cola in the yunomi.) - Culturally mismatched; use a glass.

To truly master the vocabulary of Japanese vessels, you must understand where yunomi fits among its peers. The most direct comparison is with the chawan (茶碗). While both contain the character for tea (茶), their usage has diverged significantly. A chawan is wider, allowing the whisking of matcha powder in a ceremony, or it refers to a rice bowl. The yunomi is taller and narrower, designed to keep the tea hot for longer. Another related term is soba-choko (蕎麦猪口). These are small, handleless cups originally used for dipping soba noodles into sauce, but they are often used today as small yunomi for tea.

茶碗 (Chawan)
Wider bowl. Used for matcha (ceremony) or rice (daily life).
マグカップ (Magukappu)
Mug with a handle. Used for coffee, milk, or Western tea.
湯呑み茶碗 (Yunomi-chawan)
The full, formal name for a yunomi. Often shortened in daily speech.

抹茶を飲むときは茶碗を使いますが、煎茶を飲むときは湯飲みを使います。(When drinking matcha, we use a chawan, but when drinking sencha, we use a yunomi.)

For formal guests, you might use a kumidashi (汲み出し). These are wider and shallower than a standard yunomi and are often served on a small wooden saucer called a chaku (茶托). While a yunomi is for personal or casual use, the kumidashi is specifically for entertaining. In contrast, if you are drinking sake, you would use an ochoko (small cup) or a guisumi (slightly larger cup). These are never called yunomi because the term is inextricably linked to 'hot water' and tea.

この湯飲みは少し大きいので、男性用かもしれません。(This teacup is a bit large, so it might be for a man.)

Finally, consider the term bin-iru (bottled) or petto-botoru (PET bottle). In modern Japan, many people drink green tea from plastic bottles. However, you would never pour tea from a plastic bottle into a yunomi unless you were trying to make a quick meal feel more 'proper'. The yunomi implies a certain level of preparation—brewing tea in a pot. Understanding these distinctions helps you navigate not just the language, but the social etiquette of Japanese dining and gift-giving.

How Formal Is It?

Wusstest du?

In the Edo period, these cups were often used for both tea and medicinal broths, hence the 'hot water' (yu) designation rather than just 'tea' (cha).

Aussprachehilfe

UK /juːˈnoʊmi/
US /juˈnoʊmi/
Japanese has pitch accent rather than stress; 'yu-no-mi' is usually flat (Heiban).
Reimt sich auf
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Häufige Fehler
  • Pronouncing 'yu' as 'yuh'. It should be a long 'oo' sound.
  • Stressing the 'no' too heavily.
  • Pronouncing 'mi' like 'my'. It is always 'mee'.
  • Adding a 'w' sound like 'yun-wa-mi'.
  • Forgetting the 'u' sound at the start entirely.

Schwierigkeitsgrad

Lesen 2/5

Kanji is simple (Hot water + Drinking), but often written in hiragana.

Schreiben 3/5

Remembering the 'mi' okurigana is important.

Sprechen 1/5

Pronunciation is very straightforward for English speakers.

Hören 1/5

Distinct sound, easy to pick out in conversation.

Was du als Nächstes lernen solltest

Voraussetzungen

お茶 (Ocha) 飲む (Nomu) 湯 (Yu) コップ (Koppu) 皿 (Sara)

Als Nächstes lernen

急須 (Kyusu) 茶托 (Chataku) 陶器 (Touki) 煎茶 (Sencha) 抹茶 (Matcha)

Fortgeschritten

貫入 (Kannyu) 高台 (Kodai) 釉薬 (Yuuyaku) 侘び寂び (Wabi-sabi) 民藝 (Mingei)

Wichtige Grammatik

Compound Nouns (V-stem + Noun)

飲み (Nomi) + 物 (Mono) = 飲み物 (Drink)

Instrumental Particle 'de'

湯飲みでお茶を飲む。

Directional Particle 'ni'

湯飲みにお茶を注ぐ。

Honorific 'o'

お湯飲み (less common but used in polite speech).

Counter 'kyaku' for sets

湯飲みを五客用意する。

Beispiele nach Niveau

1

これは湯飲みです。

This is a teacup.

Basic 'A is B' structure.

2

きれいな湯飲みですね。

It's a beautiful teacup, isn't it?

Adjective + Noun + Ne (particle).

3

湯飲みでお茶を飲みます。

I drink tea with a teacup.

Instrumental particle 'de'.

4

湯飲みを一つください。

Please give me one teacup.

Object + o + number + kudasai.

5

その湯飲みは熱いです。

That teacup is hot.

Subject + wa + adjective.

6

湯飲みはどこですか?

Where is the teacup?

Question about location.

7

小さな湯飲みが好きです。

I like small teacups.

Adjective + Noun + ga suki.

8

湯飲みを洗います。

I will wash the teacup.

Direct object + verb.

1

お茶を湯飲みに注いでください。

Please pour the tea into the teacup.

Destination particle 'ni'.

2

この湯飲みは陶器でできています。

This teacup is made of ceramic.

Material 'de dekite iru'.

3

新しい湯飲みを二個買いました。

I bought two new teacups.

Counter 'ko' for objects.

4

湯飲みの中に茶柱が立っています。

A tea stalk is standing upright in the teacup.

Location 'no naka ni'.

5

古い湯飲みを割ってしまいました。

I accidentally broke an old teacup.

Completed/regrettable action '~te shimau'.

6

湯飲みをテーブルに並べてください。

Please line up the teacups on the table.

Location 'ni' + verb.

7

この湯飲みは持ちやすいです。

This teacup is easy to hold.

Verb stem + yasui.

8

湯飲みを温めてからお茶を入れます。

I warm the teacup before pouring the tea.

Verb 'te' form + kara.

1

来客のために、上等な湯飲みを用意しました。

I prepared high-quality teacups for the guests.

Purpose 'no tame ni'.

2

夫婦湯飲みを結婚記念日に贈りました。

I gave a pair of 'meoto' teacups for the wedding anniversary.

Compound noun 'meoto-yunomi'.

3

湯飲みの底に作者の名前が刻まれています。

The creator's name is carved into the bottom of the teacup.

Passive voice 'kizamarete iru'.

4

お土産に京都の湯飲みを選びました。

I chose a Kyoto teacup as a souvenir.

Noun + ni (selection).

5

この湯飲みは、手に馴染む形をしています。

This teacup has a shape that fits well in the hand.

State '~o shite iru'.

6

湯飲みを重ねて収納しないでください。

Please do not stack the teacups for storage.

Negative request 'nai de kudasai'.

7

寿司屋の湯飲みは、大きくて厚手なのが特徴です。

Teacups in sushi restaurants are characterized by being large and thick.

Explanatory 'no ga tokuchou desu'.

8

湯飲みでお茶を飲むと、心が落ち着きます。

When I drink tea from a teacup, my mind calms down.

Conditional 'to'.

1

その湯飲みは、長年使い込まれていい味が出ています。

That teacup has been used for many years and has developed a nice character.

Compound verb 'tsukaikomu'.

2

この湯飲みは、萩焼独特の風合いがありますね。

This teacup has the unique texture of Hagi ware, doesn't it?

Noun + dokutoku no.

3

湯飲みの蓋をずらして、香りを楽しみます。

I slide the lid of the teacup to enjoy the aroma.

Action sequence.

4

伝統工芸品としての湯飲みの価値を学びました。

I learned about the value of teacups as traditional craft items.

'~to shite no' (as a).

5

湯飲みを洗うときは、洗剤を使わずにぬるま湯で洗います。

When washing the teacup, I wash it with lukewarm water without using detergent.

Negative 'zu ni'.

6

この湯飲みは、渋みのあるデザインが魅力的です。

The sober/refined design of this teacup is attractive.

Adjective 'shibumi'.

7

湯飲み一つにも、日本の職人のこだわりが感じられます。

Even in a single teacup, you can feel the dedication of Japanese artisans.

'~ni mo ... ga kanjirareru'.

8

客間にふさわしい湯飲みセットを揃えました。

I put together a teacup set suitable for the guest room.

Adjective 'fusawashii'.

1

湯飲みの側面に描かれた山水画が、風情を感じさせます。

The landscape painting on the side of the teacup evokes a sense of elegance and atmosphere.

Causative 'kanjisaseru'.

2

使い手によって、湯飲みは単なる器以上の存在になります。

Depending on the user, a teacup becomes something more than a mere vessel.

'~ni yotte' (depending on).

3

この湯飲みの貫入は、経年変化による美しさの極致です。

The crackle glaze (kannyu) of this teacup is the pinnacle of beauty resulting from aging.

Technical term 'kannyu'.

4

湯飲みを包む桐箱には、作者の墨書が残されています。

The paulownia box containing the teacup bears the artist's ink calligraphy.

Passive 'nokosarete iru'.

5

素朴な湯飲みの中に、究極の「美」を見出すことができます。

One can find ultimate 'beauty' within a simple teacup.

Potential 'miidasu koto ga dekiru'.

6

湯飲みを新調することで、生活に彩りを添えたいと考えました。

I thought I would add color to my life by getting a new teacup.

Action 'ni yori color o soeru'.

7

茶の湯の精神は、日用の湯飲みの中にも息づいています。

The spirit of the tea ceremony lives on even within daily-use teacups.

Abstract concept 'ikizuite iru'.

8

湯飲みの高台の削り方に、作者の個性が如実に表れています。

The individual character of the artist is vividly expressed in the way the foot of the teacup is carved.

Adverb 'nyojitsu ni'.

1

その湯飲みは、作為のなさを追求した「無心の美」を体現している。

That teacup embodies 'beauty of the empty mind,' pursuing a lack of artificiality.

Philosophical term 'mushin'.

2

湯飲みの肌に触れる指先の感覚が、茶の味覚を増幅させる。

The sensation of the fingertips touching the surface of the teacup amplifies the taste of the tea.

Sensory description.

3

名もなき職人が作った湯飲みにこそ、民藝の神髄が宿っている。

The essence of Mingei (folk art) resides precisely in the teacups made by nameless craftsmen.

Emphasis 'koso'.

4

湯飲みの釉薬の垂れ具合が、意図せぬ絶妙な「景色」を創出している。

The way the glaze drips on the teacup creates an exquisite, unintended 'scenery'.

Technical term 'keshiki'.

5

一服の茶を供する際、湯飲みの選択は主人の美意識の披瀝でもある。

When serving a bowl of tea, the choice of teacup is also a demonstration of the host's aesthetic sense.

Formal term 'hireki'.

6

湯飲みという器が、日本の生活文化において果たしてきた役割は大きい。

The role that the vessel called 'yunomi' has played in Japanese daily culture is significant.

Relative clause + 'hatashite kita'.

7

歪みや不完全さを許容する湯飲みの造形は、西洋の美学とは一線を画す。

The modeling of teacups that tolerates distortion and imperfection stands in stark contrast to Western aesthetics.

Idiom 'issen o kakusu'.

8

湯飲みを愛でるという行為は、日常の中の静寂を取り戻す儀式に他ならない。

The act of admiring a teacup is nothing other than a ritual to reclaim silence within daily life.

'~ni hokanaranai'.

Häufige Kollokationen

湯飲みを洗う
湯飲みにお茶を注ぐ
湯飲みを並べる
お気に入りの湯飲み
陶器の湯飲み
湯飲みを割る
湯飲みセット
湯飲みの底
寿司屋の湯飲み
蓋付きの湯飲み

Häufige Phrasen

夫婦湯飲み

— A pair of matching teacups, often given as a wedding or anniversary gift.

両親に夫婦湯飲みを贈った。

湯飲み茶碗

— The full, slightly more formal name for a yunomi.

この湯飲み茶碗はとても古い。

湯飲みを出す

— To serve tea or bring out the cups for use.

さあ、湯飲みを出してお茶にしましょう。

湯飲みを温める

— To pre-warm the cup with hot water before pouring tea.

美味しいお茶のために湯飲みを温める。

湯飲みを片付ける

— To put away the teacups after use.

使い終わった湯飲みを片付ける。

湯飲みを握る

— To grip the teacup, often to warm one's hands.

寒い日に熱い湯飲みを握る。

湯飲みを選ぶ

— To choose a specific teacup from a collection.

今日の気分で湯飲みを選ぶ。

湯飲みを置く

— To set down the teacup.

そっと湯飲みを置いた。

湯飲みをゆすぐ

— To rinse the teacup.

お茶を入れる前に湯飲みをゆすぐ。

湯飲みを贈る

— To give a teacup as a gift.

先生に記念の湯飲みを贈る。

Wird oft verwechselt mit

湯飲み vs 茶碗 (Chawan)

Usually means rice bowl in modern daily life.

湯飲み vs コップ (Koppu)

General term for glass or cup, often for cold drinks.

湯飲み vs マグカップ (Magukappu)

Specifically a mug with a handle.

Redewendungen & Ausdrücke

"湯飲みの底を見る"

— To look at the bottom of the cup; metaphorically, to see things through to the end or check the quality.

最後まで湯飲みの底を見るように確認した。

Literary
"湯飲み一杯の幸せ"

— A small, simple happiness found in a cup of tea.

忙しい毎日に、湯飲み一杯の幸せを感じる。

Casual
"湯飲みでお茶を濁す"

— To give a vague answer or to gloss over something (play on 'ocha o nigosu').

彼は湯飲みを手に、お茶を濁した。

Figurative
"湯飲みが笑う"

— A phrase sometimes used when a cup has a crack that looks like a smile.

この古い湯飲み、まるで笑っているみたいだ。

Colloquial
"湯飲みを共にする"

— To share tea; to spend time together in a friendly way.

古い友人と湯飲みを共にした。

Literary
"湯飲みの中の嵐"

— A tempest in a teacup; a lot of fuss about something small.

それは湯飲みの中の嵐に過ぎない。

Idiomatic
"湯飲み一つで暮らす"

— To live a very simple, minimalist life.

隠居して湯飲み一つで暮らしたい。

Figurative
"湯飲みを交わす"

— To drink tea together as a sign of agreement or friendship.

二人は湯飲みを交わして和解した。

Formal
"湯飲みに映る月"

— Refers to something beautiful but fleeting or small.

湯飲みに映る月を眺める。

Poetic
"湯飲みを温める仲"

— A very close relationship where people often share tea.

彼らとは湯飲みを温める仲だ。

Casual

Leicht verwechselbar

湯飲み vs 茶碗

Both contain the 'tea' kanji.

Chawan is wider/shallower; Yunomi is taller/cylindrical.

ご飯は茶碗に、お茶は湯飲みに入れます。

湯飲み vs 急須

Both are used for tea.

Kyusu is the pot; Yunomi is the cup.

急須から湯飲みにお茶を注ぎます。

湯飲み vs お猪口

Both are small handleless cups.

Ochoko is for sake; Yunomi is for tea.

お酒はお猪口で飲みます。

湯飲み vs 汲み出し

Both are teacups.

Kumidashi is for guests (wider); Yunomi is for daily use.

客間では汲み出しを使います。

湯飲み vs 湯気

Both start with 'Yu'.

Yuge means steam; Yunomi is the vessel.

湯飲みから湯気が立っている。

Satzmuster

A1

これは [Noun] です。

これは湯飲みです。

A2

[Noun] で [Verb]。

湯飲みでお茶を飲む。

B1

[Noun] に [Noun] を注ぐ。

湯飲みにお茶を注ぐ。

B2

[Adjective] [Noun] が好きだ。

渋いデザインの湯飲みが好きだ。

C1

[Noun] を通して [Concept] を感じる。

湯飲みを通して職人の技を感じる。

C2

[Noun] は [Concept] の体現である。

湯飲みは日常の美の体現である。

A2

[Noun] はどこですか?

湯飲みはどこですか?

B1

[Noun] を [Verb-te] しまう。

湯飲みを割ってしまった。

Wortfamilie

Substantive

湯呑み茶碗 (Yunomi-chawan)
夫婦湯飲み (Meoto-yunomi)
汲み出し (Kumidashi)

Verben

湯呑む (Yunomu - archaic/rare)
飲む (Nomu - to drink)

Verwandt

急須 (Kyusu)
茶托 (Chataku)
茶葉 (Chaba)
煎茶 (Sencha)
茶碗 (Chawan)

So verwendest du es

frequency

Very High in domestic and traditional food contexts.

Häufige Fehler
  • Using 'yunomi' for a coffee cup. magukappu (マグカップ)

    Yunomi is specifically for Japanese tea; coffee requires a handle.

  • Calling a rice bowl a 'yunomi'. chawan (茶碗)

    Yunomi is for drinking; chawan is for eating rice.

  • Trying to hold a hot yunomi with one hand. Use two hands.

    It's both safer and more culturally appropriate.

  • Writing 'yunomi' as 湯飲 (missing the 'mi'). 湯飲み or 湯呑み

    The 'mi' (okurigana) is usually required for clarity.

  • Using 'yunomi' for cold water. gurasu (グラス) or koppu (コップ)

    Yunomi implies hot liquid usage.

Tipps

Holding the Cup

Always hold the yunomi with two hands when receiving it or drinking from it to show politeness.

Buying Sets

In Japan, guest sets usually come in five (not six). Look for 'go-kyaku setto'.

Seasonal Use

Thicker, taller yunomi are preferred in winter to keep tea hot; thinner ones are used in summer.

Honorifics

You can add 'o-' to make it 'o-yunomi' when being extra polite, but it's not strictly necessary.

Removing Stains

Tea stains can be removed by rubbing with a bit of salt or baking soda if detergent fails.

Wabi-Sabi

Small chips or 'kintsugi' (gold repair) can actually increase the aesthetic value of a yunomi.

The Perfect Shot

When photographing tea, a yunomi with steam and a small sweet (wagashi) on the side creates a classic Japanese look.

Occasions

Yunomi are excellent gifts for housewarmings or for elderly relatives.

Meal Pairing

A yunomi is usually brought out at the very end of a Japanese meal.

Regional Styles

Research 'Arita-yaki' (colorful) vs 'Bizen-yaki' (earthy) to find your preferred yunomi style.

Einprägen

Eselsbrücke

Imagine YOU (yu) KNOW (no) ME (mi) because we always drink tea together from this cup.

Visuelle Assoziation

Visualize a tall, handleless ceramic cup with steam rising from it, held by two warm hands.

Word Web

Tea Ceramic Handleless Hot Water Japan Hospitality Daily Drink

Herausforderung

Try to find three different types of 'yunomi' online and describe their colors and patterns in Japanese.

Wortherkunft

Formed from the kanji 湯 (yu), meaning hot water, and the stem of the verb 飲む (nomu), which is 飲み (nomi).

Ursprüngliche Bedeutung: Literally 'hot water drinking,' referring to the vessel used for hot liquids.

Japanese (Sino-Japanese compound).

Kultureller Kontext

When giving a yunomi as a gift, it is polite to give a set of five for guests, or a pair for a couple. Giving a single cup can sometimes imply loneliness.

Westerners often mistake yunomi for small flower vases or pencil holders. In tea shops, they are sometimes sold as 'matcha bowls' incorrectly.

Conveyor-belt sushi (Kaiten-zushi) cups with fish kanji. Mashiko-yaki pottery by Shoji Hamada. Studio Ghibli films often feature characters drinking from yunomi.

Im Alltag üben

Kontexte aus dem Alltag

At a Sushi Restaurant

  • 湯飲みはどこですか?
  • お茶を入れます。
  • 熱いので気をつけて。
  • 大きい湯飲みですね。

Shopping for Gifts

  • 湯飲みセットはありますか?
  • 夫婦湯飲みを探しています。
  • これは手作りですか?
  • 箱に入れてください。

At Home

  • 湯飲みを洗って。
  • お茶を湯飲みに注ぐね。
  • 新しい湯飲みだよ。
  • 湯飲みを割っちゃった。

At a Ryokan (Inn)

  • お茶と湯飲みをご用意しました。
  • どうぞお召し上がりください。
  • 湯飲みを下げます。
  • 蓋をお取りください。

Ceramics Class

  • 湯飲みを作りたいです。
  • 形を整えます。
  • 釉薬を塗ります。
  • 焼き上がりが楽しみです。

Gesprächseinstiege

"その湯飲み、素敵なデザインですね。どこで買ったんですか?"

"日本の湯飲みには取っ手がないですが、使いにくいと思いませんか?"

"お気に入りの湯飲みはありますか?どんな色ですか?"

"寿司屋の湯飲みに書いてある魚の漢字、いくつ読めますか?"

"プレゼントに湯飲みを贈るなら、どんなものがいいと思いますか?"

Tagebuch-Impulse

今日、お気に入りの湯飲みでお茶を飲んだ時の気分を書いてください。

もし自分が湯飲みを作るなら、どんな形や色にしたいですか?

日本の湯飲みと西洋のカップの違いについて、自分の考えを書きましょう。

誰かに湯飲みをプレゼントした思い出、または貰った思い出はありますか?

「湯飲み」という言葉から連想する日本の風景を描写してください。

Häufig gestellte Fragen

10 Fragen

The lack of a handle allows the user to feel the temperature of the tea directly. If the cup is too hot to hold, the tea is too hot to drink, ensuring a perfect temperature for the palate.

'Meoto' means husband and wife. These are sets of two cups where the husband's cup is slightly larger and the wife's is slightly smaller, representing a traditional couple.

Technically yes, but it is culturally unusual. Coffee is typically served in a 'magukappu' (mug) or a 'kohi kappu' (coffee cup with a saucer and handle).

Informally, use 'hitotsu, futatsu' or the counter 'ko' (一個). Formally, or when referring to sets for guests, use the counter 'kyaku' (一客).

No. In daily modern Japanese, 'chawan' usually refers to a rice bowl. 'Yunomi' is specifically for tea. However, 'yunomi-chawan' is the full name for the teacup.

They are called 'sushi-yunomi'. They are larger and thicker than average to keep the tea hot and often feature fish names in kanji.

Usually, yes. They can be 'touki' (pottery/stoneware) or 'jiki' (porcelain). Plastic versions exist for children or casual use, but ceramic is the standard.

For daily use, no. For serving guests, a small wooden or metal saucer called a 'chataku' is often used to show respect.

Hand-wash with warm water. Avoid strong detergents if it's unglazed or has delicate patterns. Dry it thoroughly to prevent mold in porous clay.

'Keshiki' literally means 'scenery'. It refers to the natural patterns, drips, and color variations in the glaze that collectors admire.

Teste dich selbst 200 Fragen

writing

Write 'I drink tea with a teacup' in Japanese.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Write 'Please wash the teacups' in Japanese.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Write 'This teacup is a gift' in Japanese.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

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writing

Write 'Where are the teacups?' in Japanese.

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writing

Write 'I bought a pair of matching teacups' in Japanese.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Describe a yunomi in one sentence (e.g., 'It is a cup without a handle').

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

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writing

Write 'The tea in the teacup is hot' in Japanese.

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writing

Write 'I like this ceramic teacup' in Japanese.

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writing

Write 'Please pour tea into the teacup' in Japanese.

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writing

Write 'I accidentally broke the teacup' in Japanese.

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writing

Write 'There are five teacups' using the formal counter.

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writing

Write 'This teacup has a beautiful pattern' in Japanese.

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writing

Write 'I served tea in a lidded teacup' in Japanese.

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writing

Write 'The teacup fits well in my hand' in Japanese.

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writing

Write 'Arita ware teacups are famous' in Japanese.

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writing

Write 'I am looking for a small teacup' in Japanese.

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writing

Write 'The teacup is on the table' in Japanese.

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writing

Write 'I will put the teacups in the box' in Japanese.

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writing

Write 'This teacup is very old' in Japanese.

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writing

Write 'Please rinse the teacup with water' in Japanese.

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speaking

Pronounce: 湯飲み (Yunomi)

Read this aloud:

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speaking

Say 'This is my teacup' in Japanese.

Read this aloud:

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speaking

Say 'One teacup, please' in Japanese.

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speaking

Ask 'Where is the teacup?' in Japanese.

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speaking

Say 'Be careful, the teacup is hot' in Japanese.

Read this aloud:

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speaking

Say 'I drink green tea from a teacup' in Japanese.

Read this aloud:

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speaking

Say 'I want to buy a teacup as a souvenir' in Japanese.

Read this aloud:

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speaking

Say 'This teacup has a nice color' in Japanese.

Read this aloud:

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speaking

Say 'I washed the teacups' in Japanese.

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speaking

Ask 'Do you have a pair of matching teacups?' in Japanese.

Read this aloud:

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speaking

Say 'Please pour the tea' in Japanese.

Read this aloud:

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speaking

Say 'This teacup is made of ceramic' in Japanese.

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speaking

Say 'I broke my favorite teacup' in Japanese.

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speaking

Say 'I use this teacup every morning' in Japanese.

Read this aloud:

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speaking

Say 'I like the design of this teacup' in Japanese.

Read this aloud:

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speaking

Say 'Please bring five teacups' in Japanese.

Read this aloud:

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speaking

Say 'This teacup feels warm' in Japanese.

Read this aloud:

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speaking

Say 'I'm looking for a gift for my parents' in Japanese.

Read this aloud:

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speaking

Say 'The tea in the teacup is delicious' in Japanese.

Read this aloud:

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speaking

Say 'Thank you for the tea' in Japanese.

Read this aloud:

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listening

Listen to 'Yunomi o aratte kudasai' and translate.

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Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
listening

Listen to 'Kore wa meoto-yunomi desu' and translate.

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Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
listening

Listen to 'Yunomi ga hitotsu arimasu' and translate.

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Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
listening

Listen to 'Yunomi ni ocha o iremashou' and translate.

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Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
listening

Listen to 'Atsui yunomi ni ki o tsukete' and translate.

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Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
listening

Listen to 'Kono yunomi wa kirei desu ne' and translate.

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Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
listening

Listen to 'Yunomi o tana ni modoshite' and translate.

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Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
listening

Listen to 'Yunomi o go-kyaku kaimashita' and translate.

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Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
listening

Listen to 'Atarashii yunomi ga hoshii desu' and translate.

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listening

Listen to 'Yunomi de ocha o nomu no ga suki desu' and translate.

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Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
listening

Listen to 'Soko ni yunomi o oite kudasai' and translate.

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Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
listening

Listen to 'Yunomi ga warechatta' and translate.

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Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
listening

Listen to 'O-yunomi o sashiagemasu' and translate.

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Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
listening

Listen to 'Yunomi no naka o mite' and translate.

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Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
listening

Listen to 'Kono yunomi wa takai desu ka?' and translate.

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Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:

/ 200 correct

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