At the A1 level, you only need to know that 'yakan' means 'kettle.' It is a basic noun for an object found in the kitchen. You should learn to pair it with simple verbs like 'arimasu' (there is) or 'mimasu' (I see). For example, 'Kitchen ni yakan ga arimasu' (There is a kettle in the kitchen). You don't need to worry about the history or complex kanji. Just focus on identifying the object and knowing it is used for water (mizu) and tea (ocha). Think of it as one of the first 10 kitchen items you learn, alongside 'sara' (plate) and 'hashi' (chopsticks). It is usually written in hiragana, so it is easy to read. You might also hear it in very simple instructions like 'Yakan o totte kudasai' (Please pass the kettle).
At the A2 level, you can begin to use 'yakan' in slightly more complex sentences involving basic actions. You should know the verb 'wakasu' (to boil) and how to use it with 'yakan.' For example, 'Yakan de oyu o wakashimasu' (I boil water with a kettle). You can also describe the kettle using simple adjectives like 'ookii' (big), 'chiisai' (small), or 'atsui' (hot). You might talk about your daily routine: 'Asa, yakan de oyu o wakashite, koohii o nomimasu' (In the morning, I boil water with the kettle and drink coffee). At this level, you are connecting the object to a sequence of events in your life. You should also be aware that 'yakan' is specifically for the stove, unlike a 'potto.'
At the B1 level, you should be comfortable using 'yakan' in a variety of situational contexts. You can explain how to make tea to a guest, using sequential markers like 'mazu' (first) and 'tsugi ni' (next). You should understand the difference between 'yakan' and 'kyusu' (teapot) clearly. You might also encounter the word in warnings or advice, such as 'Yakan o hi ni kaketa mama dekakenaide kudasai' (Please don't go out while the kettle is on the stove). You can describe the material of the kettle, such as 'sutenresu' (stainless steel) or 'arumi' (aluminum). At this stage, you are expected to understand the word in natural conversation and be able to use it to describe kitchen tasks or shopping needs in detail.
At the B2 level, you can discuss the nuances of different types of kettles and their impact on lifestyle or tea quality. You might compare a traditional 'yakan' with a modern 'denki ketoru' (electric kettle) in terms of energy efficiency, speed, and 'atmosphere.' You should be able to understand more descriptive language, such as 'yakan ga shun-shun to naku' (the kettle is whistling/hissing). You might encounter the word in news reports about household safety or in articles about traditional crafts like 'tetsubin' (iron kettles). Your vocabulary should include related terms like 'futtoo' (boiling) and 'karadaki' (heating an empty pot/kettle), which is a common fire hazard warning associated with 'yakan.'
At the C1 level, you can appreciate the cultural and historical depth of the word 'yakan.' You might learn that the kanji 薬缶 refers to its origins in Chinese medicine. You can engage in discussions about the aesthetics of kitchenware or the slow-living movement in Japan, where using a stovetop kettle is seen as a mindful practice compared to using an electric one. You should be able to understand the word in literature or rakugo (traditional comedy), where it might be used as part of a joke or a nostalgic description of a bygone era. You can use the word fluently in complex grammatical structures and understand subtle metaphors or regional variations in how people refer to boiling water vessels.
At the C2 level, you have a near-native grasp of 'yakan' and its place in the Japanese psyche. You can discuss the evolution of the word from the Muromachi period to the present and its linguistic relationship to other vessels like 'dobin' or 'kama.' You can analyze the use of 'yakan' in classical literature or modern film as a symbol of domesticity or tension. You are comfortable with technical discussions regarding the metallurgy of high-end copper kettles used by tea masters. You can also navigate the most subtle social nuances, such as when to use the more formal 'yuwakashi' versus the everyday 'yakan,' and you understand the deep-seated cultural associations the sound of a whistling kettle evokes in different generations of Japanese people.

やかん 30 सेकंड में

  • A traditional stovetop kettle used for boiling water, essential for making tea and coffee in Japanese households.
  • Usually made of metal or enamel, featuring a spout, a handle, and often a whistle to signal boiling.
  • The word originates from 'medicine can,' reflecting its historical use for brewing herbal remedies during the Edo period.
  • Distinguished from teapots (kyusu) and electric dispensers (potto), it remains a symbol of domestic warmth and hospitality.

The Japanese word やかん (yakan) refers to a kettle, a ubiquitous kitchen utensil used primarily for boiling water. While in modern urban Japanese households, electric kettles (電気ケトル) have become increasingly common, the traditional stovetop yakan remains a symbol of domestic warmth and the fundamental act of tea preparation. Historically, the word is written in kanji as 薬缶, which literally translates to 'medicine can.' This etymology reflects its original purpose during the Edo period: a vessel used for decocting medicinal herbs. Over centuries, its function shifted from the apothecary to the kitchen, becoming the primary tool for heating water for green tea, barley tea (mugicha), and daily needs. In a Japanese home, the sound of a whistling kettle is a nostalgic auditory marker of break time or the start of a meal.

Material Variety
Traditional kettles were often made of copper (銅) or iron (鉄), but contemporary versions are typically stainless steel or aluminum for durability and heat efficiency. Enamel (ホーロー) kettles are also highly prized for their aesthetic appeal and lack of metallic odor.
Cultural Significance
The 'yakan' is more than just a tool; it represents the hospitality of the home. Offering a guest tea starts with the act of putting the kettle on the stove, a gesture known as 'hi ni kakeru' (火にかける).

お母さんは台所でやかんにお湯を沸かしています。
(Mother is boiling water in the kettle in the kitchen.)

When using this word, it is important to distinguish it from the kyusu (急須), which is the small teapot used for steeping tea leaves. The yakan is strictly for boiling the water itself. In professional settings like tea ceremonies, specialized kettles called kama (釜) are used, but for everyday life, yakan is the standard term. You will hear it in grocery stores when looking for kitchenware, in conversations about household chores, and even in metaphors. For instance, a 'whistling kettle' might be used to describe someone who is steaming with anger, though this is less common than the English equivalent. The word is almost always written in hiragana today, making it very accessible for beginners to recognize.

このやかんは、お湯が沸くと音が鳴ります。
(This kettle makes a sound when the water boils.)

Modern Context
With the rise of induction heating (IH) stoves in Japan, many modern 'yakan' are specifically designed with magnetic bottoms. If you are buying one in Japan, look for the 'IH対応' (IH compatible) label.

Using やかん (yakan) in a sentence typically involves verbs related to heating, pouring, or maintenance. The most common verb paired with it is wakasu (沸かす - to boil). Note that in Japanese, you boil the water *inside* the kettle, but grammatically, you can say 'yakan o wakasu' (boil the kettle) as a shorthand for boiling the water within it. Other essential verbs include hi ni kakeru (火にかける - to put on the fire/stove), sosogu (注ぐ - to pour), and arau (洗う - to wash). Understanding the particles is crucial: (ni) indicates putting something into the kettle, while (de) indicates using the kettle as a tool.

Action: Boiling Water
やかんにお水を入れて、コンロの上に置きます。 (Put water in the kettle and place it on the stove.)
State: Boiling
やかんがシュンシュンと鳴っています。 (The kettle is whistling/hissing.)

麦茶を作るために、大きなやかんを買いました。
(I bought a large kettle to make barley tea.)

In B1 level Japanese, you should be able to describe the process of making a hot drink. For example: 'First, I put water in the kettle. Next, I turn on the heat. When the kettle whistles, I pour the water into the cup.' This involves sequential markers like mazu (まず), tsugi ni (次に), and soshite (そして). You might also encounter the word in the context of safety: 'Be careful not to touch the hot kettle' (Atsui yakan ni furenai you ni ki o tsukete). The word is versatile and appears in both polite (-masu) and casual forms without change, as it is a concrete noun.

やかんの底が焦げてしまいました。
(The bottom of the kettle has scorched.)

Descriptive Usage
古い銅のやかん (An old copper kettle). このやかんは持ち手が熱くなりません (The handle of this kettle doesn't get hot).

You will encounter the word やかん (yakan) in various real-life scenarios in Japan. The most common place is within the family home. Parents might ask children to 'check the kettle' or 'fill the kettle.' In retail environments, such as department stores (depāto) or home centers (Nitori, Cainz), you will find a section dedicated to 'Kitchenware' (台所用品) where 'yakan' are displayed alongside pots and pans. Sales staff might use the word when explaining the features of a new model, such as its thermal efficiency or its compatibility with induction cooktops.

やかんが沸いたよ!」とお母さんが叫んだ。
('The kettle's boiled!' mother shouted.)

Another frequent setting is in media. In Japanese anime and dramas, the kitchen is a central hub of activity. A steaming kettle on a winter stove is a classic visual shorthand for a cozy, traditional Japanese home (especially in older houses with kerosene heaters). You might also hear it in cooking shows or 'lifestyle' YouTube channels where creators demonstrate how to brew the perfect cup of tea or coffee. In these contexts, they might contrast the traditional yakan with the more modern denki ketoru (electric kettle), often emphasizing the 'feel' or 'atmosphere' of using a stovetop version.

In literature and idioms, yakan sometimes appears in older texts. There is a famous rakugo (traditional comedic storytelling) story involving a character who pretends to know everything, including the etymology of 'yakan.' These cultural touchstones ensure that even if a household uses an electric dispenser, the word yakan remains firmly embedded in the Japanese lexicon. You'll also see it on safety warning labels: 'Do not leave the yakan unattended' (Yakan o hi ni kaketa mama hanarenaide kudasai).

キャンプで使うために、丈夫なステンレスのやかんを探しています。
(I'm looking for a durable stainless steel kettle to use for camping.)

Public Spaces
In community centers or older office tea rooms, you might still see a large 'yakan' being used to prepare massive quantities of tea for meetings.

One of the most common mistakes for English speakers learning Japanese is confusing やかん (yakan) with other water-related vessels. In English, the word 'pot' can refer to a cooking pot, a teapot, or a kettle. In Japanese, these are strictly separated. If you call a teapot (急須 - kyusu) a 'yakan,' a Japanese person will be confused because you cannot put a kyusu directly on the stove. Conversely, calling a yakan a 'nabe' (cooking pot) is technically incorrect as a 'yakan' has a specific spout and handle for pouring water.

Confusion with 'Potto'
The katakana word ポット (potto) usually refers to a thermos or an electric water dispenser that keeps water hot. If you want to boil water from scratch on a stove, you must use a 'yakan.'
Confusion with 'Ketoru'
While 'ketoru' (ケトル) is used, it often implies a more modern, western-style or electric version. 'Yakan' is the more traditional and broader term for the stovetop variety.

× 急須で水を沸かします。
やかんで水を沸かします。
(Correcting the mistake of using a teapot to boil water.)

Another mistake involves the verb waku vs. wakasu. 'Yakan ga waku' (the kettle boils - intransitive) is a common expression, but technically it is the water that boils. However, saying 'yakan o wakasu' (I boil the kettle - transitive) is perfectly acceptable in daily conversation. Beginners often struggle with the particle ni vs. de. Remember: 'Yakan **ni** mizu o ireru' (Put water **into** the kettle) but 'Yakan **de** oyu o wakasu' (Boil water **with/using** the kettle). Using 'ni' when you mean 'de' would imply you are boiling the water inside the physical material of the kettle itself, which sounds odd.

× やかんをコンロで洗います。
やかんをシンクで洗います。
(A logic error: Washing the kettle on the stove vs. in the sink.)

While やかん (yakan) is the most common term for a kettle, several related words exist depending on the context and the specific type of vessel. Understanding these nuances will help you sound more like a native speaker and avoid confusion in the kitchen. The most direct alternative is the loanword ketoru (ケトル), which is increasingly used for stylish, modern, or electric kettles. However, for the classic stovetop item, yakan remains the dominant choice.

Yakan vs. Kyusu (急須)
A yakan is for boiling water on a stove. A kyusu is a small teapot used for steeping tea leaves with hot water already boiled in a yakan. Never put a kyusu on a flame!
Yakan vs. Potto (ポット)
A potto (often 'denki potto') is an electric appliance that both boils and maintains water at a specific temperature. It doesn't sit on a stove.
Yakan vs. Tetsubin (鉄瓶)
A tetsubin is a heavy, cast-iron kettle. While it is a type of yakan, it is a specific traditional craft item often used for tea ceremonies or to add iron content to water.

この鉄瓶は、普通のやかんよりずっと重いです。
(This iron kettle is much heavier than a normal kettle.)

In professional or very formal settings, you might hear the word yuwakashi (湯沸かし), which literally means 'hot water boiler.' This is more of a functional description than a common name for the object. Additionally, there is the dobin (土瓶), a ceramic kettle/large teapot. While it can sometimes be used to heat water, it is more often used for brewing large batches of tea or medicinal decoctions, harkening back to the original 'yakkan' (medicine can) origin. When shopping, you might see 'yakan' categorized under 'chaki' (茶器 - tea utensils) or 'chōri kigu' (調理器具 - cooking appliances).

電気ケトルは便利ですが、私はやかんでお湯を沸かすのが好きです。
(Electric kettles are convenient, but I like boiling water with a [stovetop] kettle.)

How Formal Is It?

रोचक तथ्य

In the Edo period, 'yakan' were often made of cast iron and didn't have the long spouts we see today. They looked more like deep pots. The spout was added later to make pouring hot water for tea easier.

उच्चारण मार्गदर्शिका

UK /jɑː.kæn/
US /jɑ.kɑn/
Japanese has pitch accent. In 'yakan', the accent is usually flat (Heiban style), meaning the pitch stays relatively level.
तुकबंदी
mikan (mandarin orange) jikan (time) kikan (period/organ) gokan (five senses) shukan (habit) fukan (overhead view) dokan (clay pipe) akan (no good - Kansai dialect)
आम गलतियाँ
  • Pronouncing it like the English 'can' (as in tin can). The 'a' sound in Japanese is always like 'ah'.
  • Stress-timing the word. Japanese is mora-timed; 'ya' and 'kan' take equal time.
  • Adding a 'u' at the end (yakanu). The 'n' is a nasal sound that closes the word.
  • Confusing it with 'yakan' (夜間), which means 'nighttime' but has a different pitch accent.
  • Shortening the 'n' so it sounds like 'yaka'.

कठिनाई स्तर

पठन 1/5

Very easy; usually written in hiragana.

लिखना 2/5

Hiragana is simple; the kanji 薬缶 is rare and difficult.

बोलना 2/5

Easy to pronounce, but watch the pitch accent.

श्रवण 2/5

Clear sound, but don't confuse with 'yakan' (nighttime).

आगे क्या सीखें

पूर्वापेक्षाएँ

お湯 (oyu) 水 (mizu) 火 (hi) 台所 (daidokoro) 沸かす (wakasu)

आगे सीखें

急須 (kyusu) 茶葉 (chaba) コンロ (konro) 沸騰 (futtoo) 注ぐ (sosogu)

उन्नत

煎じる (senjiru) 南部鉄器 (nanbu tekki) 熱伝導 (netsu dendou) 空焚き (karadaki) 水垢 (mizuaka)

ज़रूरी व्याकरण

Transitive vs Intransitive

沸かす (Transitive: I boil) vs 沸く (Intransitive: It boils).

Instrumental Particle 'de'

やかんでお湯を沸かす (Boil water *using* a kettle).

State '-te iru'

やかんが沸いている (The kettle is boiling).

Purpose 'tame ni'

お茶を淹れるために、やかんを買った。

Adjective modification

熱いやかん (Hot kettle).

स्तर के अनुसार उदाहरण

1

これはやかんではありません。

This is not a kettle.

Negative form of 'desu'.

2

台所にやかんがあります。

There is a kettle in the kitchen.

Existential 'arimasu' for inanimate objects.

3

青いやかんを買いました。

I bought a blue kettle.

Adjective 'aoi' modifying 'yakan'.

4

やかんはどこですか。

Where is the kettle?

Question word 'doko'.

5

あのやかんは新しいです。

That kettle over there is new.

Demonstrative 'ano'.

6

やかんにお水を入れてください。

Please put water in the kettle.

Particle 'ni' for destination/container.

7

小さなやかんですね。

It's a small kettle, isn't it?

Sentence-ending particle 'ne' for agreement.

8

これは私のやかんです。

This is my kettle.

Possessive particle 'no'.

1

やかんでお湯を沸かしましょう。

Let's boil water with the kettle.

Volitional form '-mashou'.

2

母はやかんを洗っています。

Mother is washing the kettle.

Present continuous '-te iru'.

3

やかんがとても熱いです。

The kettle is very hot.

Adverb 'totemo' for emphasis.

4

このやかんでお茶を作りました。

I made tea using this kettle.

Instrumental particle 'de'.

5

やかんを火にかけてください。

Please put the kettle on the fire (stove).

Set phrase 'hi ni kakeru'.

6

古いかかんを捨てました。

I threw away the old kettle.

Past tense of 'suteru'.

7

やかんの音が聞こえます。

I can hear the sound of the kettle.

Potential-like verb 'kikoeru'.

8

新しいやかんが欲しいです。

I want a new kettle.

Desire 'hoshii'.

1

やかんが沸いたら、教えてください。

When the kettle boils, please let me know.

Conditional '-tara'.

2

やかんにお湯が残っていますか。

Is there any hot water left in the kettle?

Verb 'nokoru' (to remain).

3

やかんで沸かしたお湯は美味しいです。

Water boiled in a kettle is delicious.

Relative clause modifying 'oyu'.

4

このやかんはIHコンロでも使えます。

This kettle can be used on IH stoves too.

Potential verb 'ukaeru'.

5

火を止めるのを忘れて、やかんを焦がしてしまった。

I forgot to turn off the heat and scorched the kettle.

Regret form '-te shimatta'.

6

麦茶を作るために、大きいやかんが必要です。

In order to make barley tea, a large kettle is necessary.

Purpose 'tame ni'.

7

やかんの取っ手が壊れてしまいました。

The kettle's handle has broken.

Noun 'totte' (handle).

8

やかんを火にかけたまま、外に出てはいけません。

You must not go outside while the kettle is on the fire.

Prohibition '-te wa ikenai'.

1

やかんがシュンシュンと音を立てて沸騰している。

The kettle is whistling and boiling away.

Onomatopoeia 'shun-shun'.

2

母は使い込んだ銅のやかんを大切にしている。

Mother treasures her well-used copper kettle.

Compound verb 'tsukai-konda' (well-used).

3

電気ケトルより、やかんの方が風情があると思います。

I think a stovetop kettle has more 'atmosphere' than an electric one.

Comparison 'yori... no hou ga'.

4

やかんの空焚きは火事の原因になるので注意が必要です。

Heating an empty kettle can cause fires, so caution is needed.

Noun 'karadaki' (dry heating).

5

このやかんは、お湯が沸くとピーと鳴る仕組みになっています。

This kettle is designed to whistle when the water boils.

Structure 'shikumi ni natte iru'.

6

キャンプ用のやかんは、軽くて丈夫なものが一番だ。

For camping kettles, ones that are light and durable are the best.

Adjective-noun linking 'kute'.

7

やかんに水垢がたまってきたので、クエン酸で掃除した。

Limescale built up in the kettle, so I cleaned it with citric acid.

Noun 'mizuaika' (limescale).

8

おばあちゃんの家には、いつも大きなやかんがストーブの上に置いてあった。

At my grandmother's house, a large kettle was always sitting on the stove.

Past habitual state '-te atta'.

1

職人が一つ一つ手作りしたこのやかんは、一生ものです。

This kettle, handmade one by one by a craftsman, is a lifetime piece.

Noun 'isshou-mono' (lifetime item).

2

やかんの語源が「薬缶」であることは、意外と知られていない。

It is surprisingly little known that the origin of 'yakan' is 'medicine can'.

Nominalizer 'koto' and passive 'shirarete inai'.

3

南部鉄器のやかんで沸かしたお湯は、まろやかな味がする。

Water boiled in a Nambu ironware kettle has a mellow taste.

Adjective 'maroyaka' (mellow).

4

彼は怒ると、まるでお湯が沸いたやかんのように真っ赤になる。

When he gets angry, he turns bright red, just like a boiling kettle.

Simile 'maru de... no you ni'.

5

ホーローのやかんは、酸やアルカリに強く、匂い移りもしにくい。

Enamel kettles are resistant to acids and alkalis, and odors don't easily transfer.

Compound verb '-nikui' (difficult to).

6

お茶の時間を大切にする文化の中で、やかんは単なる道具以上の存在だ。

In a culture that treasures tea time, the kettle is more than just a tool.

Expression 'ijou no sonzai' (more than just a...).

7

やかんに付着した頑固な汚れを落とすには、重曹が効果的だ。

To remove stubborn stains attached to a kettle, baking soda is effective.

Noun 'fuchaku' (adhesion/attachment).

8

伝統的な生活様式が見直される中、鉄のやかんの人気が再燃している。

As traditional lifestyles are being re-evaluated, the popularity of iron kettles is reviving.

Noun 'sainen' (resurgence).

1

薬缶という名称は、かつて漢方薬を煎じるために用いられたことに由来する。

The name 'yakan' originates from it once being used to decoct herbal medicines.

Formal expression 'ni yurai suru'.

2

湯気が立ち上るやかんの姿は、日本の家庭における団欒の象徴であった。

The image of a steaming kettle was a symbol of family harmony in Japanese homes.

Noun 'danran' (family circle/harmony).

3

銅製のやかんは熱伝導率に優れており、瞬時にお湯を沸かすことが可能だ。

Copper kettles excel in thermal conductivity, making it possible to boil water instantly.

Technical term 'netsu-dendou-ritsu'.

4

落語の演目『薬缶』では、知ったかぶりの男が言葉の由来をこじつける滑稽さが描かれる。

In the rakugo play 'Yakan,' the humor lies in a know-it-all man's forced etymologies of words.

Noun 'shitta-kaburi' (pretending to know).

5

現代のミニマリズムにおいて、多機能な電化製品よりも、単一機能のやかんが選ばれることもある。

In modern minimalism, a single-function kettle is sometimes chosen over multi-functional appliances.

Contrastive 'yori mo'.

6

茶道における釜と、日常使いのやかんとの境界線は、その製作工程と美意識にある。

The boundary between the 'kama' in tea ceremony and the everyday 'yakan' lies in their production process and aesthetics.

Noun 'kyoukaisen' (boundary line).

7

使い古されたやかんの表面に刻まれた傷跡は、その家庭の歴史を物語っている。

The scratches carved into the surface of a worn-out kettle tell the history of that household.

Verb 'monogatatte iru' (to tell a story/illustrate).

8

機能性を追求した結果、究極の曲線美を持つやかんがプロダクトデザインの賞を受賞した。

As a result of pursuing functionality, a kettle with ultimate curved beauty won a product design award.

Noun 'kyokusen-bi' (beauty of curves).

सामान्य शब्द संयोजन

やかんを火にかける
やかんが沸く
やかんが鳴る
やかんを洗う
やかんにお水を入れる
やかんでお湯を沸かす
やかんの蓋
やかんの取っ手
やかんを焦がす
やかんを空焚きする

सामान्य वाक्यांश

やかんが沸騰する

— The kettle reaches boiling point.

やかんが沸騰するまで待ちます。

やかんの口

— The spout of the kettle.

やかんの口から湯気が出ている。

お茶用やかん

— A kettle specifically for tea.

これはお茶用やかんです。

ステンレスのやかん

— A stainless steel kettle.

ステンレスのやかんは錆びにくい。

ホーローのやかん

— An enamel kettle.

ホーローのやかんは色が可愛いです。

やかんを置く

— To place the kettle.

テーブルの上にやかんを置く。

やかんを持つ

— To hold or carry the kettle.

熱いやかんを持つときは注意して。

やかんに火が通る

— The kettle is heated (less common but used).

やかんに火が通って熱くなった。

やかんを磨く

— To polish the kettle.

銅のやかんをピカピカに磨く。

やかんが冷める

— The kettle cools down.

やかんが冷めるまで触らないで。

अक्सर इससे भ्रम होता है

やかん vs 夜間 (yakan)

Means 'nighttime'. Pronounced similarly but with different pitch/context.

やかん vs 野缶 (yakan)

Not a real word, but 'ya' can mean field; don't confuse with outdoor gear terms.

やかん vs 薬缶 (yakkan)

The original reading of the kanji, now simplified to 'yakan'.

मुहावरे और अभिव्यक्तियाँ

"やかんの頭"

— Used to describe a bald head (slangy/humorous).

彼はやかんの頭をしている。

informal
"薬缶で湯を沸かす"

— To do something very obvious or standard (rare).

それは薬缶で湯を沸かすような当たり前のことだ。

literary
"鳴るやかんに水はなし"

— A whistling kettle has no water (implying empty vessels make the most noise).

彼はいつも威張っているが、鳴るやかんに水はなしだ。

proverbial
"やかんを焼く"

— To be extremely jealous (archaic, related to 'yakimochi').

彼女はやかんを焼いているようだ。

archaic
"やかんの耳"

— A handle that looks like ears.

このやかんの耳は持ちやすい。

descriptive
"やかんを飛ばす"

— To get very angry (modern slang variation).

上司がやかんを飛ばして怒鳴った。

slang
"やかんの底を叩く"

— To make a lot of noise or fuss.

やかんの底を叩くような騒ぎだ。

informal
"やかんの湯気"

— Something that disappears quickly or is ephemeral.

彼らの情熱はやかんの湯気のように消えた。

literary
"やかんの蓋を取る"

— To reveal a secret (rare).

ついにやかんの蓋を取る時が来た。

metaphorical
"やかんを磨いて鏡にする"

— To work very hard on something simple.

彼は毎日やかんを磨いて鏡にするように努力した。

metaphorical

आसानी से भ्रमित होने वाले

やかん vs 急須 (kyusu)

Both are for tea.

Yakan boils water; Kyusu steeps tea leaves. Yakan goes on fire; Kyusu does not.

やかんで沸かしたお湯を急須に入れます。

やかん vs ポット (potto)

Both hold hot water.

Potto is usually an electric dispenser or thermos; Yakan is a stovetop vessel.

ポットには熱いお茶が入っています。

やかん vs 鍋 (nabe)

Both are kitchen pots.

Nabe is for cooking food; Yakan is specifically for boiling water and has a spout.

鍋でスープを作り、やかんでお茶を沸かす。

やかん vs ケトル (ketoru)

They mean the same thing.

'Ketoru' sounds modern/western/electric; 'Yakan' sounds traditional/stovetop.

このケトルはデザインがとてもモダンだ。

やかん vs 鉄瓶 (tetsubin)

Both are metal kettles.

Tetsubin is a specific traditional craft (cast iron); Yakan is the general term.

鉄瓶は手入れが大変ですが、お湯が美味しいです。

वाक्य संरचनाएँ

A1

[Object] があります。

やかんがあります。

A2

[Object] で [Action] をします。

やかんでお湯を沸かします。

B1

[Object] を [Action] たまま、[Negative Action]。

やかんを火にかけたまま、寝てはいけません。

B1

[Object] が [Action] たら、[Request]。

やかんが沸いたら、火を止めてください。

B2

[Object] は [Noun] の原因になる。

やかんの空焚きは火事の原因になる。

B2

[Object] より [Object] のほうが [Adjective]。

電気ケトルよりやかんのほうが風情がある。

C1

[Object] といえば [Concept] だ。

やかんといえば、冬のストーブを思い出す。

C2

[Object] の語源は [Origin] に由来する。

やかんの語源は薬缶に由来する。

शब्द परिवार

संज्ञा

湯沸かし (yuwakashi)
ケトル (ketoru)
ポット (potto)

क्रिया

沸かす (wakasu)
沸く (waku)
注ぐ (sosogu)

विशेषण

熱い (atsui)
焦げた (kogeta)

संबंधित

お茶 (ocha)
台所 (daidokoro)
コンロ (konro)
麦茶 (mugicha)
急須 (kyusu)

इसे कैसे इस्तेमाल करें

frequency

Very high in domestic contexts.

सामान्य गलतियाँ
  • Using 'yakan' for a teapot. 急須 (kyusu)

    A 'yakan' is for boiling; a 'kyusu' is for steeping. You'll damage a 'kyusu' if you put it on the stove.

  • Saying 'yakan o niru'. やかんを火にかける / お湯を沸かす

    'Niru' means to simmer food. You don't 'cook' the kettle; you 'boil' (wakasu) the water in it.

  • Confusing 'yakan' with 'yakan' (nighttime). Contextual usage

    If you are in a kitchen, it's a kettle. If you are talking about office hours, it's nighttime.

  • Using 'ni' instead of 'de' for the tool. やかんで沸かす

    'Ni' implies boiling *into* the kettle's material. 'De' indicates the kettle is the tool being used.

  • Thinking 'yakan' is only for tea. Any boiling water

    While associated with tea, you use a 'yakan' to boil water for cup ramen, coffee, or cleaning too.

सुझाव

Stovetop focus

Always use 'yakan' when referring to the object you put on the stove. If it plugs into a wall, 'ketoru' is safer.

Verb Pairing

Memorize 'yakan o hi ni kakeru' as a single unit. It's the most natural way to say 'put the kettle on'.

Empty Kettle

Learn the word 'karadaki' (dry boiling). It's a common warning on kettle packaging in Japan.

Mugicha Connection

Associate 'yakan' with 'mugicha' (barley tea). Boiling a huge yakan of tea is a classic Japanese summer activity.

Flat Pitch

Try to keep your voice level. If you stress the 'ya', it might sound like you're starting a different word.

Counting

Use '-ko' (one: ikko, two: niko) when counting kettles in a shop.

Medicine History

Remembering the 'medicine' origin helps you remember the 'kan' (can/container) part of the word.

Spout shape

The spout of a yakan is its defining feature. Use this to distinguish it from a 'nabe' (pot) in your mind.

The Whistle

When you hear 'pii' or 'shun-shun' in an anime, expect the word 'yakan' to follow soon.

Hiragana First

Don't stress about the kanji. Focus on writing 'やかん' neatly in hiragana.

याद करें

स्मृति सहायक

Imagine a YAK (the animal) sitting on a CAN. A Yak-on-a-Can. What is he doing? He's boiling water in a kettle!

दृश्य संबंध

Visualize the steam rising from a kettle forming the shape of the hiragana 'や' (ya). The spout looks like the first stroke of 'か' (ka).

Word Web

Kitchen Boil Tea Stove Steam Whistle Stainless Steel Hot

चैलेंज

Try to say 'Yakan de oyu o wakasu' five times fast without tripping over the 'k' and 'w' sounds.

शब्द की उत्पत्ति

The word 'yakan' comes from the Middle Chinese 'yak-khuan'. It was originally introduced to Japan during the Muromachi or early Edo period.

मूल अर्थ: The kanji 薬缶 (Yakkan) literally means 'medicine vessel' or 'medicine can'. It was used to boil and decoct traditional herbal medicines.

Sino-Japanese (Kango).

सांस्कृतिक संदर्भ

No specific sensitivities; it is a neutral household object.

In English, 'kettle' is the only word, but in Japanese, you must be careful not to use 'yakan' for a teapot (kyusu).

The rakugo story 'Yakan' (The Kettle). Studio Ghibli films often feature realistic whistling kettles in kitchen scenes. The 'Kettle' (Yakan) monument in some Japanese towns celebrating local metalwork.

असल ज़िंदगी में अभ्यास करें

वास्तविक संदर्भ

Morning Routine

  • やかんを火にかける
  • お湯を沸かす
  • コーヒーを淹れる
  • 朝の準備

Making Barley Tea

  • 大きなやかん
  • 麦茶のパック
  • 冷やす
  • 煮出す

Kitchen Safety

  • 火を止める
  • 空焚き注意
  • 取っ手が熱い
  • 触らないで

Shopping

  • IH対応
  • ステンレス製
  • 笛吹きタイプ
  • 容量

Hospitality

  • お茶を淹れる
  • すぐ沸きます
  • やかんで沸かしたお湯
  • どうぞ

बातचीत की शुरुआत

"お宅では電気ケトルを使っていますか、それともやかんを使っていますか?"

"やかんでお湯を沸かす音を聞くと、どんな気持ちになりますか?"

"麦茶を作るときは、どのくらいの大きさのやかんを使いますか?"

"ホーローのやかんとステンレスのやかん、どちらが好きですか?"

"やかんを焦がしてしまった経験はありますか?"

डायरी विषय

今日、やかんでお湯を沸かして何を飲みましたか。その時の気分を書いてください。

あなたが持っている(または欲しい)理想のやかんについて詳しく説明してください。

日本の「やかん」とあなたの国の「ケトル」にはどんな違いがありますか。

「やかん」という言葉から連想する思い出を一つ書いてください。

もし「やかん」が話せるとしたら、台所の様子をどう描写すると思いますか。

अक्सर पूछे जाने वाले सवाल

10 सवाल

It can be written as 薬缶, but in modern Japanese, it is almost exclusively written in hiragana (やかん). The kanji is considered difficult and rare.

Technically, yes, but most people use 'denki ketoru' (電気ケトル) or just 'ketoru' for electric ones. 'Yakan' strongly implies the stovetop variety.

The 'yakan' is for boiling water on a stove. The 'kyusu' is a teapot where you put tea leaves and pour the hot water from the 'yakan' into it.

Historically, it was used to boil and prepare traditional herbal medicines. Over time, its use changed to boiling water for tea, but the name stuck.

No, only 'fuefuki yakan' (whistling kettles) have a special attachment on the spout that makes a sound when steam passes through it.

Only if it is 'IH taiou' (IH compatible). Most modern stainless steel or enamel kettles are, but older aluminum ones are not.

For the outside, use regular dish soap. For the inside limescale, boiling water with citric acid (kuensan) or vinegar is very effective.

It is a standard, neutral noun. It's not slang, but in very formal business writing, 'yuwakashi' might be used.

No, in the formal tea ceremony (chado), a specialized iron pot called a 'kama' is used. 'Yakan' is for everyday household use.

Traditionally they were silver (stainless steel) or copper. Today, enamel 'yakan' come in many bright colors like red, blue, and yellow.

खुद को परखो 200 सवाल

writing

Write a sentence: 'The kettle is on the stove.'

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

सही! बिलकुल नहीं। सही जवाब:
writing

Write a sentence: 'I boiled water with the kettle.'

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

सही! बिलकुल नहीं। सही जवाब:
writing

Write a sentence: 'Please buy a new kettle.'

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

सही! बिलकुल नहीं। सही जवाब:
writing

Write a sentence: 'The kettle is whistling.'

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

सही! बिलकुल नहीं। सही जवाब:
writing

Write a sentence: 'Don't touch the hot kettle.'

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

सही! बिलकुल नहीं। सही जवाब:
writing

Write a sentence: 'I forgot to turn off the kettle.'

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

सही! बिलकुल नहीं। सही जवाब:
writing

Write a sentence: 'There is no water in the kettle.'

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

सही! बिलकुल नहीं। सही जवाब:
writing

Write a sentence: 'The handle of the kettle is broken.'

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

सही! बिलकुल नहीं। सही जवाब:
writing

Write a sentence: 'I am washing the kettle in the sink.'

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

सही! बिलकुल नहीं। सही जवाब:
writing

Write a sentence: 'This kettle is made of copper.'

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

सही! बिलकुल नहीं। सही जवाब:
writing

Write a sentence: 'Please put some water in the kettle.'

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

सही! बिलकुल नहीं। सही जवाब:
writing

Write a sentence: 'The water in the kettle has boiled.'

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

सही! बिलकुल नहीं। सही जवाब:
writing

Write a sentence: 'I like this blue enamel kettle.'

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

सही! बिलकुल नहीं। सही जवाब:
writing

Write a sentence: 'The kettle's spout is small.'

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

सही! बिलकुल नहीं। सही जवाब:
writing

Write a sentence: 'Be careful of dry boiling the kettle.'

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

सही! बिलकुल नहीं। सही जवाब:
writing

Write a sentence: 'I make tea with a large kettle every morning.'

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

सही! बिलकुल नहीं। सही जवाब:
writing

Write a sentence: 'The sound of the kettle is loud.'

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

सही! बिलकुल नहीं। सही जवाब:
writing

Write a sentence: 'The kettle is empty.'

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

सही! बिलकुल नहीं। सही जवाब:
writing

Write a sentence: 'I polished the kettle until it was shiny.'

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

सही! बिलकुल नहीं। सही जवाब:
writing

Write a sentence: 'Which kettle is yours?'

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

सही! बिलकुल नहीं। सही जवाब:
speaking

Say: 'I boil water with a kettle every morning.'

Read this aloud:

सही! बिलकुल नहीं। सही जवाब:
speaking

Say: 'Is the kettle boiling?'

Read this aloud:

सही! बिलकुल नहीं। सही जवाब:
speaking

Say: 'Please put the kettle on the stove.'

Read this aloud:

सही! बिलकुल नहीं। सही जवाब:
speaking

Say: 'The kettle is whistling!'

Read this aloud:

सही! बिलकुल नहीं। सही जवाब:
speaking

Say: 'I want a red kettle.'

Read this aloud:

सही! बिलकुल नहीं। सही जवाब:
speaking

Say: 'Be careful, the kettle is hot.'

Read this aloud:

सही! बिलकुल नहीं। सही जवाब:
speaking

Say: 'I'll wash the kettle.'

Read this aloud:

सही! बिलकुल नहीं। सही जवाब:
speaking

Say: 'Does this kettle work with IH?'

Read this aloud:

सही! बिलकुल नहीं। सही जवाब:
speaking

Say: 'The water in the kettle is empty.'

Read this aloud:

सही! बिलकुल नहीं। सही जवाब:
speaking

Say: 'Wait until the kettle whistles.'

Read this aloud:

सही! बिलकुल नहीं। सही जवाब:
speaking

Say: 'I use a copper kettle.'

Read this aloud:

सही! बिलकुल नहीं। सही जवाब:
speaking

Say: 'Please pour the water from the kettle.'

Read this aloud:

सही! बिलकुल नहीं। सही जवाब:
speaking

Say: 'The kettle's handle is hot.'

Read this aloud:

सही! बिलकुल नहीं। सही जवाब:
speaking

Say: 'I forgot the kettle on the fire.'

Read this aloud:

सही! बिलकुल नहीं। सही जवाब:
speaking

Say: 'Is there a kettle in the kitchen?'

Read this aloud:

सही! बिलकुल नहीं। सही जवाब:
speaking

Say: 'I bought this kettle at Nitori.'

Read this aloud:

सही! बिलकुल नहीं। सही जवाब:
speaking

Say: 'The kettle is steaming.'

Read this aloud:

सही! बिलकुल नहीं। सही जवाब:
speaking

Say: 'I need a bigger kettle.'

Read this aloud:

सही! बिलकुल नहीं। सही जवाब:
speaking

Say: 'The kettle is finished boiling.'

Read this aloud:

सही! बिलकुल नहीं। सही जवाब:
speaking

Say: 'Don't leave the kettle unattended.'

Read this aloud:

सही! बिलकुल नहीं। सही जवाब:
listening

Listen and identify: 'やかんにお水を入れてください。'

सही! बिलकुल नहीं। सही जवाब:
सही! बिलकुल नहीं। सही जवाब:
listening

Listen and identify: 'やかんが沸いたよ。'

सही! बिलकुल नहीं। सही जवाब:
सही! बिलकुल नहीं। सही जवाब:
listening

Listen and identify: '熱いやかんに気をつけて。'

सही! बिलकुल नहीं। सही जवाब:
सही! बिलकुल नहीं। सही जवाब:
listening

Listen and identify: '新しいやかんを買いました。'

सही! बिलकुल नहीं। सही जवाब:
सही! बिलकुल नहीं। सही जवाब:
listening

Listen and identify: 'やかんを洗っています。'

सही! बिलकुल नहीं। सही जवाब:
सही! बिलकुल नहीं। सही जवाब:
listening

Listen and identify: 'やかんの音が聞こえます。'

सही! बिलकुल नहीं। सही जवाब:
सही! बिलकुल नहीं। सही जवाब:
listening

Listen and identify: 'やかんでお湯を沸かしましょう。'

सही! बिलकुल नहीं। सही जवाब:
सही! बिलकुल नहीं। सही जवाब:
listening

Listen and identify: 'やかんを火にかけて。'

सही! बिलकुल नहीं। सही जवाब:
सही! बिलकुल नहीं। सही जवाब:
listening

Listen and identify: 'やかんの取っ手が壊れた。'

सही! बिलकुल नहीं। सही जवाब:
सही! बिलकुल नहीं। सही जवाब:
listening

Listen and identify: 'IH対応のやかんを探しています。'

सही! बिलकुल नहीं। सही जवाब:
सही! बिलकुल नहीं। सही जवाब:
listening

Listen and identify: 'やかんを空焚きしないで。'

सही! बिलकुल नहीं। सही जवाब:
सही! बिलकुल नहीं। सही जवाब:
listening

Listen and identify: 'やかんの蓋がありません。'

सही! बिलकुल नहीं। सही जवाब:
सही! बिलकुल नहीं। सही जवाब:
listening

Listen and identify: 'やかんのお湯を注いで。'

सही! बिलकुल नहीं। सही जवाब:
सही! बिलकुल नहीं। सही जवाब:
listening

Listen and identify: 'このやかんは高いです。'

सही! बिलकुल नहीं। सही जवाब:
सही! बिलकुल नहीं। सही जवाब:
listening

Listen and identify: 'やかんがシュンシュン鳴っている。'

सही! बिलकुल नहीं। सही जवाब:
सही! बिलकुल नहीं। सही जवाब:

/ 200 correct

Perfect score!

संबंधित सामग्री

यह शब्द अन्य भाषाओं में

food के और शब्द

少々

B1

कृपया थोड़ी देर प्रतीक्षा करें। मिश्रण में थोड़ा सा नमक डालें।

〜ほど

B1

लगभग दस मिनट इंतज़ार किया। (Waited about ten minutes.)

~ほど

B1

लगभग, के करीब; इस हद तक कि; के जितना नहीं। उदाहरण: मुझे लगभग एक घंटा लगा। (一時間ほどかかりました). मैं इतना थक गया हूँ कि मर सकता हूँ। (死ぬほど疲れた).

豊富な

B1

Abundant, rich in.

ふんだんに

B1

इस केक में फलों का <mark>ふんだんに</mark> (भरपूर) उपयोग किया गया है।

足す

B1

किसी मात्रा को पूरा करने के लिए कुछ जोड़ना। जैसे, सूप में नमक डालना।

添加物

B1

योजक (Additive). खाद्य पदार्थों को खराब होने से बचाने या उनका स्वाद और रंग सुधारने के लिए उनमें मिलाए जाने वाले पदार्थ।

〜てから

B1

कुछ करने के बाद। 'खाना खाने के बाद, मैं अपने दाँत साफ़ करता हूँ।'

~てから

B1

'~te kara' का उपयोग कुछ करने के 'बाद' कहने के लिए करें। उदाहरण के लिए: 'खाने के बाद, मैं बाहर जाता हूँ।'

熟成させる

B1

मांस को स्वादिष्ट बनाने के लिए उसे कुछ दिनों तक परिपक्व (age) किया जाता है।

क्या यह मददगार था?
अभी तक कोई टिप्पणी नहीं। अपने विचार साझा करने वाले पहले व्यक्ति बनें!