Translation guide
A small cup for drinking tea. In Japanese, the word depends on the type of tea and the cup's shape. The most common general term is 湯飲み (yunomi), a handleless ceramic cup for everyday green tea.
A small, handleless ceramic cup used for drinking Japanese green tea at home or in casual settings.
The standard word for a handleless Japanese teacup, typically used for green tea. It is the most common and neutral term.
湯飲みにお茶を注ぐ。
Pour tea into a teacup.
この湯飲みは手になじむ。
This teacup fits comfortably in my hand.
Literally 'tea bowl', this can refer to a larger, bowl-like teacup, or a rice bowl. In tea contexts, it often implies a more rustic or traditional style, sometimes used in tea ceremony.
茶碗でお茶を飲む。
Drink tea from a tea bowl.
A cup with a handle, often part of a set with a saucer, used for black tea or coffee.
The direct loanword for a Western-style teacup with a handle, often used with a saucer.
ティーカップに紅茶を入れる。
Pour black tea into a teacup.
このティーカップは取っ手が付いている。
This teacup has a handle.
A general word for 'cup', often used for both teacups and coffee cups. Context clarifies the type.
カップでお茶をどうぞ。
Here's some tea in a cup.
A very small, handleless cup used for Chinese tea or delicate brews, often part of a tea set.
Specifically a small Chinese-style teacup, often used in formal Chinese tea service. Not common in everyday Japanese.
中国茶は小さな茶杯で飲む。
Chinese tea is drunk from small teacups.
A general term for tea utensils, including teacups, but not a specific word for 'teacup'. Use only when referring to the whole set.
茶器を揃える。
Gather tea utensils.
Referring to the amount a teacup holds, often in cooking.
Means 'one cupful', using the general word カップ. In recipes, カップ often refers to a standard measuring cup (200ml), not necessarily a teacup.
小麦粉をカップ1杯加える。
Add one cup of flour.
Use 湯飲み for handleless Japanese-style teacups, and ティーカップ for Western-style teacups with handles. Using 湯飲み for a Western teacup sounds odd, and vice versa.
湯飲みでコーヒーを飲むのは変だ。
It's strange to drink coffee from a yunomi.
茶碗 primarily means 'rice bowl' in modern Japanese. While it can mean a tea bowl in traditional contexts, using it for a regular teacup will cause confusion. Stick to 湯飲み or ティーカップ.