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B1 noun #6,000 most common 7 min read

花瓶

kabin Top 6,000

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips 花瓶 in 30 Seconds

Explanation 花瓶 in your Level:

At the A1 level, you should recognize 'kabin' as a basic noun for an object found in a house. You will learn it alongside other household items like 'teburu' (table) or 'isu' (chair). At this stage, you only need to know how to identify it ('Kore wa kabin desu' - This is a vase) and describe its location using simple prepositions like 'ue' (on) or 'naka' (in). You might also use it with basic colors, such as 'akai kabin' (red vase). The focus is on survival vocabulary for describing your immediate environment.

At the A2 level, you can begin to use 'kabin' in more descriptive sentences. You will likely learn the verb 'kazaru' (to decorate) or 'oku' (to put/place). You should be able to say things like 'I put flowers in the vase' or 'The vase is on the table in the living room.' You might also start to use basic adjectives to describe the material, like 'garasu no kabin' (glass vase). At this level, you can handle simple shopping interactions, such as asking for the price of a vase in a store.

At the B1 level, you can use 'kabin' in more complex narratives and social situations. You can describe the history of an object (e.g., 'This is a vase I got from my mother') or discuss its aesthetic value. You will be familiar with related terms like 'ichirinzashi' (single-flower vase) and understand the difference between a 'kabin' and a 'uekibachi' (flower pot). You can also use the word in the context of giving or receiving gifts and explaining why you chose a particular design. Your ability to use particles like 'ni' (into) and 'de' (at/with) correctly with 'kabin' should be solid.

At the B2 level, you can discuss the cultural significance of the 'kabin' in Japanese society. You might talk about the differences between Western-style vases and traditional Japanese 'kaki' used in Ikebana. You can use the word in more abstract contexts, such as describing the atmosphere of a room. Your vocabulary will include more specific verbs like 'ikeru' (to arrange flowers) and you will understand the nuances of different materials like 'seiji' (celadon) or 'bizen-yaki' (Bizen ware). You can also handle more complex grammatical structures involving passive or causative forms (e.g., 'The vase was broken by the cat').

At the C1 level, you have a deep understanding of the word 'kabin' and its synonyms. You can appreciate literature where a 'kabin' is used as a metaphor for fragility, beauty, or domesticity. You are comfortable using formal terms like 'kaki' in academic or professional discussions about art and ceramics. You can describe the intricate details of a vase's design using advanced vocabulary (e.g., 'kannyu' for crackle glaze). You understand the historical evolution of the kabin from the Muromachi period to the present day and can articulate its role in the Japanese aesthetic of 'wabi-sabi'.

At the C2 level, your mastery of 'kabin' is indistinguishable from a native speaker's. You can engage in highly specialized discussions about the provenance of specific antique vases or the technical aspects of ceramic production. You can interpret subtle nuances in how the word is used in high-level literature or poetry. You are aware of rare idioms or historical puns involving the word. You can effortlessly switch between casual, formal, and technical registers when discussing floral vessels, and you have a comprehensive knowledge of the various regional styles of Japanese pottery associated with 'kabin'.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

花瓶 in 30 Seconds

Kabin means 'vase' and is used for cut flowers in water.
It is a common household item and a frequent gift in Japan.
Do not confuse it with 'uekibachi', which is a pot for living plants.
The word combines the kanji for 'flower' and 'bottle/vessel'.

The Japanese word 花瓶 (kabin) is a noun that describes an ornamental container, typically made of glass, ceramic, or porcelain, specifically designed to hold cut flowers and water. Etymologically, it is composed of two kanji: 花 (ka/hana) meaning 'flower' and 瓶 (bin) meaning 'bottle', 'vessel', or 'jar'. While the word literally translates to 'flower bottle', its usage is strictly reserved for decorative vases rather than functional storage bottles. In the context of Japanese interior design and culture, the kabin is more than just a utility; it is a focal point of a room's aesthetic, often placed in the tokonoma (traditional alcove) or on a central table to bring a sense of nature and seasonality into the home.

Materiality: Common materials include 陶器 (touki - pottery), 磁器 (jiki - porcelain), and ガラス (garasu - glass). Each material dictates the formality of the setting.

母は誕生日に美しい青い花瓶をもらいました。(My mother received a beautiful blue vase for her birthday.)

Historically, the concept of the kabin evolved alongside the art of Ikebana (flower arrangement). However, in modern Japanese, kabin is the general, everyday term used for any vase, whereas kaki (花器) is a more specialized term used by practitioners of flower arrangement to describe their tools. People use this word when decorating their homes, shopping for interior goods, or discussing gifts for housewarming parties. It carries a nuance of elegance and domestic care. When you enter a Japanese home and see a kabin, it often reflects the host's attention to the current season, as the choice of flowers (like cherry blossoms in spring or chrysanthemums in autumn) is deeply significant.

Aesthetic Placement: Vases are often placed on a 'kabin-shiki' (花瓶敷き), which is a small mat or coaster designed to protect the furniture from water and scratches.

地震で高い花瓶が割れてしまいました。(The expensive vase broke during the earthquake.)

Using 花瓶 (kabin) in a sentence requires an understanding of the verbs that typically accompany it. The most common action is 'to put flowers in a vase,' which is expressed as kabin ni hana o sasu (花瓶に花を挿す) or kabin ni hana o ikeru (花瓶に花を生ける). The former is more casual, while the latter implies a bit more artistic intent. Another frequent verb is kazaru (飾る - to decorate/display), as in 'I displayed the vase in the entrance hall' (玄関に花瓶を飾った). Because vases are often fragile, you will also encounter verbs like waru (割る - to break something) or wareru (割れる - to break/be broken).

Common Verb Pairings: 飾る (kazaru - to display), 買う (kau - to buy), 割る (waru - to break), 水を換える (mizu o kaeru - to change the water).

この花瓶は祖母から譲り受けた大切なものです。(This vase is a precious item I inherited from my grandmother.)

In terms of grammar, kabin functions as a standard noun. It can be modified by adjectives to describe its appearance: utsukushii kabin (beautiful vase), ookina kabin (large vase), or touki no kabin (ceramic vase). When describing the location of a vase, the particle ni is used for the destination of an action ('put into the vase') or the particle no ue ni for its position ('on top of the vase'). For example, 'The cat is next to the vase' would be neko ga kabin no tonari ni imasu. It is also important to note that when flowers are already inside, the phrase hana no haitta kabin (a vase with flowers in it) is used to be specific.

窓際に花瓶を置くと、部屋が明るくなります。(Placing a vase by the window makes the room brighter.)

You will encounter the word 花瓶 (kabin) in various real-life scenarios in Japan, ranging from domestic life to commercial settings. In a typical Japanese home, parents might tell their children, 'Kabin ni sawaranaide' (Don't touch the vase), especially if it is an expensive heirloom. During the holiday season or special occasions like Oshogatsu (New Year), the word is frequently used as families prepare traditional floral displays. In retail environments, such as interior design shops like Nitori or high-end department stores like Mitsukoshi, 'kabin' is the standard label for the product category.

Daily Life: Conversations about cleaning, decorating, or receiving gifts often involve this word.

「その花瓶、どこで買ったの？」「フランフランで買ったんだよ。」('Where did you buy that vase?' 'I bought it at Francfranc.')

Furthermore, kabin appears often in Japanese literature and media to set a mood. A dusty, empty vase might symbolize loneliness or neglect, while a vase overflowing with vibrant flowers indicates a celebration or a well-cared-for home. In detective dramas or anime, a broken vase is a classic trope used to indicate a struggle or an accident. You might also hear it in art galleries or museums when discussing pottery. In these formal settings, the speaker might use more honorific language, such as 'O-kabin' (adding the polite prefix 'o'), although this is less common than with words like 'o-sake' or 'o-cha'.

教室の花瓶に、ひまわりが生けてあります。(Sunflowers are arranged in the vase in the classroom.)

While 花瓶 (kabin) is a relatively straightforward word, English speakers often make the mistake of using it for any container that holds a plant. The most critical distinction is between a kabin and a uekibachi (植木鉢). A kabin is for cut flowers (切り花 - kiribana) and contains only water. A uekibachi is a flower pot for living plants with roots and soil. If you call a potted plant a 'kabin', a Japanese person will be confused because a kabin cannot sustain a growing plant. Another common error is confusing kabin with tsubo (壺). While both can be ceramic, a tsubo is a jar or urn, often used for storage (like pickles or ashes) and usually lacks the specific neck shape intended for floral display.

Kabin vs. Uekibachi: Kabin = Water + Cut flowers. Uekibachi = Soil + Roots + Growing plant.

× 庭に花瓶を植えました。(I planted a vase in the garden - Incorrect.)
○ 庭に花の苗を植えました。(I planted flower seedlings in the garden - Correct.)

Pronunciation is another area where learners might stumble. The 'bin' in kabin is a short, crisp sound. Some learners might accidentally lengthen the vowel, making it sound like 'biin', which is incorrect. Additionally, be careful with the kanji. The second kanji 瓶 (bin) is somewhat complex and contains the radical for 'tile' or 'earthenware' (瓦). It is often confused with similar-looking characters like 餅 (mochi - rice cake) or 瓶 (bin) itself is sometimes written in katakana (ビン) in casual contexts, though the kanji is preferred for decorative vases. Finally, remember that kabin is the object, not the act. You 'ike' (arrange) flowers in a kabin; you don't 'kabin' the flowers.

There are several words related to 花瓶 (kabin) that can enrich your vocabulary and help you be more precise. The most common alternative is 花器 (kaki). While 'kabin' is used in daily conversation, 'kaki' is a more formal, technical term used in the world of art and flower arrangement. If you are at an exhibition of traditional crafts, the items will almost certainly be labeled as 'kaki'. Another related word is 一輪挿し (ichirinzashi), which refers to a small, slender vase designed to hold only a single flower. This is a very popular term in modern Japanese interior design, where minimalism is valued.

Comparison Table: 花瓶 (Kabin): General term for any vase.
花器 (Kaki): Artistic or formal term for a floral vessel.
一輪挿し (Ichirinzashi): Single-flower vase.
壺 (Tsubo): A large jar or urn, sometimes used as a vase.

この一輪挿しは、シンプルで食卓にぴったりです。(This single-flower vase is simple and perfect for the dining table.)

If you are looking for something more rustic, you might use bin (瓶) alone, which can refer to a simple glass bottle repurposed as a vase. In rural or vintage settings, you might see flowers in a tokkuri (sake carafe), though this is a stylistic choice rather than the object's primary purpose. Understanding these nuances allows you to describe home decor with more depth. For instance, calling a piece of fine Arita porcelain a 'kabin' is correct, but calling it a 'kaki' shows a higher level of appreciation for its craftsmanship. Conversely, using 'ichirinzashi' specifically for a small vase shows you understand the Japanese aesthetic of 'less is more'.

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

The kanji for 'bin' (瓶) contains the radical for 'tile' (瓦), reflecting its origins in earthenware and pottery.

Pronunciation Guide

UK kɑːbɪn

US kɑbɪn

The pitch accent is usually Heiban (flat), meaning the pitch stays relatively level after the first syllable.

Rhymes With

Tabin (traveling) Sabin (rust) Gabin (thumbtack - though usually pronounced 'byou') Cabin (English loanword) Robin Bobbin Nabin Shabin

Common Errors

Pronouncing 'bin' like 'bean'. It should be a short 'i'.
Stressing the 'bin' too heavily.
Making the 'ka' sound too much like 'cat'. It should be 'kah'.
Adding a 'u' sound at the end (kabinu). Keep the 'n' nasal.
Confusing the pitch with 'kabin' meaning 'oversensitive' (though the kanji is different: 過敏).

Difficulty Rating

Reading 3/5

The first kanji is easy, but the second one (瓶) is slightly complex for beginners.

Writing 4/5

Writing '瓶' requires practice due to the many strokes.

Speaking 1/5

Pronunciation is simple and follows standard Japanese phonetics.

Listening 1/5

Easily distinguishable in conversation.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

花 (Flower) 水 (Water) 机 (Desk) ある (To exist) きれい (Beautiful)

Learn Next

植木鉢 (Flower pot) 生ける (To arrange flowers) 陶器 (Ceramics) 飾る (To decorate) 割れる (To break)

Advanced

花器 (Flower vessel) 貫入 (Crackle glaze) 磁器 (Porcelain) 床の間 (Alcove) 華道 (Flower arrangement art)

Grammar to Know

Counters for objects (個/本)

花瓶を二個買いました。

Transitive vs Intransitive (割る/割れる)

花瓶を割った。 / 花瓶が割れた。

Noun + no + Position

花瓶の横に時計がある。

Material + de + dekite iru

この花瓶は木でできている。

Purpose + no ni + tsukau

これは花を飾るのに使う花瓶です。

Examples by Level

これは花瓶です。

This is a vase.

Simple identification using 'desu'.

花瓶はテーブルの上にあります。

The vase is on the table.

Using 'no ue ni' to indicate position.

赤い花瓶ですね。

It's a red vase, isn't it?

Adjective 'akai' modifying the noun.

花瓶に花があります。

There are flowers in the vase.

Using 'ni' to show location within.

小さな花瓶を買いました。

I bought a small vase.

Past tense verb 'kaimashita'.

花瓶はどこですか？

Where is the vase?

Question word 'doko'.

きれいな花瓶ですね。

It's a beautiful vase.

Na-adjective 'kirei' with 'na'.

花瓶をください。

Please give me the vase.

Using 'o kudasai' for requests.

花瓶に水を入れます。

I will put water in the vase.

Transitive verb 'ireru'.

この花瓶はガラスでできています。

This vase is made of glass.

Material indicated by 'de dekite iru'.

花瓶を窓の近くに置きました。

I placed the vase near the window.

Verb 'oku' (to place).

母の誕生日に花瓶をあげました。

I gave a vase to my mother for her birthday.

Gifting verb 'agemashita'.

花瓶が割れないように気をつけてください。

Please be careful so the vase doesn't break.

Negative potential + 'youni'.

デパートで新しい花瓶を探しています。

I am looking for a new vase at the department store.

Continuous form 'sagashite imasu'.

その青い花瓶はいくらですか？

How much is that blue vase?

Asking for price with 'ikura'.

花瓶の中に花を三本入れました。

I put three flowers in the vase.

Counter for long objects 'hon'.

玄関に大きな花瓶を飾っています。

I am displaying a large vase in the entrance hall.

Verb 'kazaru' in continuous state.

地震で花瓶が倒れて、床が濡れてしまいました。

The vase fell over due to the earthquake, and the floor got wet.

Regret/completion form 'te shimau'.

この花瓶は、私の部屋の雰囲気に合っています。

This vase matches the atmosphere of my room.

Verb 'au' (to match/suit).

花瓶の水を毎日換えるのは大変です。

Changing the water in the vase every day is difficult.

Nominalizing the verb phrase with 'no wa'.

一輪挿しの花瓶は、場所を取らないので便利です。

Single-flower vases are convenient because they don't take up much space.

Compound noun 'ichirinzashi'.

引越し祝いに、おしゃれな花瓶をもらいました。

I received a stylish vase as a housewarming gift.

Receiving verb 'moraimashita'.

花瓶を選ぶときは、色だけでなく形も大切です。

When choosing a vase, not only the color but also the shape is important.

Structure 'A dake de naku B mo'.

その花瓶は、有名な陶芸家が作ったものです。

That vase was made by a famous potter.

Relative clause modifying 'mono'.

日本の伝統的な花瓶には、独特の美しさがあります。

Traditional Japanese vases have a unique beauty.

Adjective 'dokutoku no' (unique).

花瓶に生けられた花が、部屋に彩りを添えています。

The flowers arranged in the vase add color to the room.

Passive participle 'ikerareta'.

不注意で、祖父から譲り受けた高価な花瓶を割ってしまった。

Out of carelessness, I broke the expensive vase I inherited from my grandfather.

Noun 'fuchuui' (carelessness).

この花瓶の曲線美は、見る人を惹きつけます。

The beauty of this vase's curves attracts people who see it.

Compound noun 'kyokusen-bi'.

花瓶の底には、作者のサインが刻まれています。

The creator's signature is engraved on the bottom of the vase.

Passive verb 'kizamarete iru'.

どんな花を生けるかによって、花瓶の印象も変わります。

Depending on what flowers you arrange, the impression of the vase changes.

Structure 'ni yotte' (depending on).

彼は、趣味で集めた花瓶を棚にずらりと並べている。

He has a row of vases he collected as a hobby lined up on the shelf.

Adverb 'zurari to' (in a row).

花瓶にひびが入っているのに気づきませんでした。

I didn't notice that there was a crack in the vase.

Phrase 'hibi ga hairu' (to get a crack).

この花瓶は、光の当たり方によって微妙に表情を変える。

This vase subtly changes its expression depending on how the light hits it.

Noun 'atarikata' (way of hitting).

花瓶という器の中に、自然の生命力を凝縮させるのが生け花の真髄だ。

The essence of Ikebana is to condense the vitality of nature within the vessel of a vase.

Formal noun 'shinzui' (essence).

その花瓶は、長い年月を経て、味わい深い色合いへと変化した。

Over many years, that vase has changed into a deep, flavorful hue.

Phrase 'nengetsu o hete' (through the years).

簡素な花瓶に一輪の野花を挿すだけで、空間に静寂が生まれる。

Just by placing a single wild flower in a simple vase, silence is born in the space.

Adjective 'kanso na' (simple/plain).

美術館に展示されている花瓶の精巧な細工に、思わず見惚れてしまった。

I found myself fascinated by the elaborate craftsmanship of the vase displayed in the museum.

Verb 'mihorete shimau' (to be fascinated/captivated).

花瓶の破損を防ぐため、細心の注意を払って梱包してください。

To prevent damage to the vase, please pack it with the utmost care.

Idiom 'saishin no chuui o harau'.

この花瓶は、西洋の技法と和の感性が融合した傑作である。

This vase is a masterpiece that fuses Western techniques with Japanese sensibility.

Formal copula 'aru'.

花瓶の中に溜まった水は、こまめに替えないと細菌が繁殖する。

If the water collected in the vase is not changed frequently, bacteria will propagate.

Conditional 'nai to'.

その花瓶の表面に施された貫入は、意図せぬ美を演出している。

The crackle glaze applied to the surface of that vase creates an unintended beauty.

Technical term 'kannyu'.

花瓶という静的な存在が、生けられた花によって動的な物語を紡ぎ出す。

The static existence of the vase weaves a dynamic story through the arranged flowers.

Metaphorical use of 'tsumugidasu'.

室町時代の花瓶の様式を紐解くと、当時の美意識が鮮明に浮かび上がる。

Unraveling the style of Muromachi period vases brings the aesthetic sense of that time vividly to light.

Verb 'himotoku' (to unravel/read deeply).

花瓶の口の広さは、そこに生ける花の自由度を規定する重要な要素だ。

The width of the vase's mouth is a crucial factor that dictates the degree of freedom for the flowers arranged there.

Verb 'kitei suru' (to dictate/regulate).

無造作に置かれた花瓶一つが、その場の空気感を一変させることがある。

A single vase placed casually can sometimes completely transform the atmosphere of a place.

Adverb 'muzausa ni' (casually/nonchalantly).

花瓶の制作過程において、土の練り方一つで最終的な強度が左右される。

In the production process of a vase, the final strength is influenced by even the way the clay is kneaded.

Structure 'A hitotsu de B ga sayuu sareru'.

その作家は、花瓶という既成の概念を打ち破る前衛的な作品を発表した。

That artist released avant-garde works that break the established concept of a 'vase'.

Compound 'kisei no gainen' (established concept).

花瓶の色彩が、生けられた花の鮮やかさをより一層引き立てている。

The colors of the vase further enhance the vividness of the arranged flowers.

Verb 'hikitateru' (to enhance/complement).

Common Collocations

花瓶に花を挿す

花瓶を飾る

花瓶が割れる

ガラスの花瓶

花瓶の水を換える

陶器の花瓶

大きな花瓶

花瓶の底

アンティークの花瓶

花瓶敷き

Common Phrases

花瓶の横

— Next to the vase. Often used for giving directions in a room.

鍵は花瓶の横にあります。

空の花瓶

— An empty vase. Implies a lack of flowers.

棚に空の花瓶が並んでいる。

一輪挿しの花瓶

— A vase for one flower. Popular in modern decor.

一輪挿しの花瓶をプレゼントした。

花瓶を倒す

— To knock over a vase. Usually an accident.

猫が花瓶を倒してしまった。

花瓶を洗う

— To wash the vase. Part of regular maintenance.

花瓶をきれいに洗って片付ける。

花瓶を選ぶ

— To choose a vase. Common when shopping.

部屋に合う花瓶を選ぶ。

お気に入りの花瓶

— One's favorite vase. Shows personal attachment.

これは私のお気に入りの花瓶です。

花瓶のひび

— A crack in the vase. Indicates damage.

花瓶のひびに気づかなかった。

花瓶の口

— The opening (mouth) of the vase. Determines how many flowers fit.

花瓶の口が広いので、たくさん入る。

花瓶を置く

— To place a vase. A basic spatial description.

テレビの横に花瓶を置く。

Often Confused With

花瓶 vs 植木鉢

Kabin is for cut flowers; uekibachi is for plants with soil.

花瓶 vs 壺

Kabin is specifically for flowers; tsubo is a general jar/urn.

花瓶 vs 過敏

Pronounced similarly but means 'oversensitive' (different kanji).

Idioms & Expressions

"花瓶の花"

— Like a flower in a vase; beautiful but having a short life or being isolated from its roots.

彼女の生活はまるで花瓶の花のようだ。

Literary

"花瓶の置物"

— Something that is just for show and has no practical use.

彼は会社で花瓶の置物のような存在だ。

Metaphorical

"花瓶を割る"

— Often used as a classic example of a childhood mistake or an accident that causes trouble.

子供の頃、よく花瓶を割って怒られた。

Common

"花瓶に生けられた"

— Often used to describe something being 'contained' or 'arranged' in a specific, artificial way.

彼の才能は花瓶に生けられたように窮屈そうだ。

Poetic

"花瓶の中の嵐"

— A tempest in a teapot; a lot of fuss about something small (though 'teacup' is more common).

それは花瓶の中の嵐に過ぎない。

Rare/Translation-based

"花瓶を飾るように"

— Doing something purely for aesthetic reasons without substance.

彼は花瓶を飾るように言葉を選ぶ。

Descriptive

"割れた花瓶"

— Symbolizes a broken relationship or a situation that cannot be mended.

二人の関係は割れた花瓶のようだった。

Literary

"花瓶の水を替えるように"

— Refreshing one's mind or environment regularly.

花瓶の水を替えるように、気分転換をする。

Casual

"一輪挿しの孤独"

— The loneliness of a single flower in a small vase.

一輪挿しの孤独を愛する。

Poetic

"花瓶の底の泥"

— The hidden, unpleasant part of something beautiful.

華やかな生活の裏には、花瓶の底の泥のような苦労がある。

Metaphorical

Easily Confused

花瓶 vs 花器

Both mean vase.

Kaki is more formal/artistic; Kabin is everyday.

華道の先生は「花器」という言葉を好む。

花瓶 vs 一輪挿し

It is a type of kabin.

Specific to holding only one flower.

机の上には一輪挿しが似合う。

花瓶 vs 水盤

Both hold flowers.

Suiban is flat and wide, used for Moribana style.

水盤に蓮の花を浮かべる。

花瓶 vs 徳利

Sometimes used to hold flowers.

Tokkuri is a sake carafe.

徳利を花瓶の代わりに使う。

花瓶 vs 鉢

Both are containers.

Hachi is usually a bowl or pot, not for standing cut flowers.

サラダを鉢に盛る。

Sentence Patterns

これは [Adjective] 花瓶です。

これは青い花瓶です。

花瓶に [Noun] を入れます。

花瓶に水を入れます。

[Noun] に花瓶を飾っています。

玄関に大きな花瓶を飾っています。

花瓶が [Verb-te] しまいました。

花瓶が割れてしまいました。

[Material] でできた花瓶です。

ガラスでできた花瓶です。

[Noun] のような花瓶ですね。

芸術品のような花瓶ですね。

花瓶の [Part] に [Detail] がある。

花瓶の底に作者の銘がある。

花瓶という [Concept] を超える。

花瓶という概念を超える作品だ。

Word Family

Nouns

花瓶敷き (Vase mat)

小花瓶 (Small vase)

大花瓶 (Large vase)

Verbs

花瓶に入れる (To put in a vase)

花瓶に生ける (To arrange in a vase)

Adjectives

花瓶らしい (Vase-like)

花 (Flower)

瓶 (Bottle)

一輪挿し (Single-flower vase)

花器 (Flower vessel)

陶器 (Ceramics)

How to Use It

frequency

Extremely common in domestic and interior design contexts.

Common Mistakes

Using 'kabin' for a potted plant. → Uekibachi (植木鉢)
Kabin is for cut flowers only.
Saying 'kabin o ikeru'. → Hana o kabin ni ikeru.
You arrange flowers, not the vase itself.
Pronouncing it 'ka-biin'. → Kabin (short 'i').
Long vowels change the meaning or sound unnatural.
Writing 'bin' as 餅. → 瓶
餅 means rice cake; they look similar but are different.
Using 'kabin' for a water bottle. → Mizubottle / Suitou.
Kabin is strictly for flowers.

Tips

Seasonality

Switch your kabin based on the season. Glass for summer, warm clay for winter.

Water Change

Changing the water daily keeps the flowers fresh and the kabin clean.

Gifting

When giving a vase, check if the recipient has space for it; large vases can be burdensome.

Particles

Always use 'ni' to indicate the flowers are *in* the vase: kabin 'ni' hana o sasu.

Earthquakes

In Japan, use non-slip mats (kabin-shiki) to prevent vases from falling during tremors.

Minimalism

Try an 'ichirinzashi' for a minimalist, modern Japanese look.

Synonyms

Learn 'kaki' to sound more knowledgeable about Japanese art.

Writing

Practice the radical 瓦 in 瓶; it means 'tile' or 'pottery'.

Genkan

Placing a kabin in the genkan (entrance) is a classic way to welcome guests.

Bleach

A tiny drop of bleach in the kabin water can prevent bacteria growth.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Imagine a **K**ing **A**rranging **B**eautiful **I**ris **N**ow in a vase. KA-BI-N.

Visual Association

Picture a classic blue and white porcelain vase with a single red flower sticking out.

Word Web

Flower Water Fragile Ceramic Decoration Table Gift Break

Challenge

Try to find three different types of 'kabin' in an online Japanese store and describe them in Japanese.

Word Origin

The word is a Sinitic compound (Kango). 'Ka' (花) comes from Old Chinese, and 'Bin' (瓶) originally referred to an earthenware jar or pitcher.

Original meaning: A bottle or vessel intended for flowers.

Sino-Japanese

Cultural Context

Be careful when discussing 'kabin' in the context of funerals; specific types of white vases are used for 'bukka' (Buddhist flowers).

In the West, vases are often kept in cupboards until needed. In Japan, the vase itself is often a permanent piece of decor.

The 'Broken Vase' trope in anime. Famous Arita-yaki vases. Vases in Ozu Yasujiro's films.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Home Decor

花瓶を飾る
部屋を明るくする
お気に入りのデザイン
窓際に置く

Shopping

花瓶売り場
いくらですか
割れ物
プレゼント用

Cleaning

水を換える
花瓶を洗う
ほこりを払う
丁寧に扱う

Accidents

花瓶を割る
水がこぼれる
ひびが入る
片付ける

Art/Hobby

花を生ける
陶芸で作る
一輪挿し
伝統工芸

Conversation Starters

"その花瓶、どこで買ったんですか？ (Where did you buy that vase?)"

"どんな花瓶があなたの部屋に合いますか？ (What kind of vase suits your room?)"

"花瓶に花を飾る習慣はありますか？ (Do you have a habit of displaying flowers in a vase?)"

"この花瓶、デザインが素敵だと思いませんか？ (Don't you think the design of this vase is lovely?)"

"地震の時、花瓶は大丈夫でしたか？ (Was the vase okay during the earthquake?)"

Journal Prompts

今日、花瓶に新しい花を飾りました。その時の気持ちを書いてください。 (Today I put new flowers in a vase. Write about how you felt.)

あなたが持っている一番大切な花瓶について説明してください。 (Describe the most important vase you own.)

花瓶が割れてしまった時のエピソードを書いてください。 (Write an episode about a time a vase broke.)

理想の花瓶のデザインについて詳しく書いてください。 (Write in detail about your ideal vase design.)

日本の花瓶とあなたの国の花瓶の違いについて考えてみましょう。 (Think about the differences between Japanese vases and vases in your country.)

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

No, you should use 'uekibachi' for a pot with soil. 'Kabin' is only for cut flowers in water.

You can use the general counter '-ko' (個). For long ones, '-hon' (本) is sometimes used.

'Kabin' is the common word used at home. 'Kaki' is a formal term used in art and Ikebana.

Yes, it is a very common gift for housewarmings or weddings. It is nice to include flowers with it.

You say 'kabin o waru' (active) or 'kabin ga wareru' (it broke).

It is called an 'ichirinzashi' (一輪挿し).

Yes, although glass and ceramic are more common. A wooden vase is 'ki no kabin'.

Yes, the loanword 'furawa-be-su' is becoming popular in modern interior shops.

Traditionally in the 'tokonoma', but modernly on dining tables or entrance halls (genkan).

Yes, but those vases are usually specific styles, often called 'bukka-ki'.