物干し

• Reading: ものほし
• Romaji: monohoshi
• Kanji breakdown: 物 (mono) — things, objects; 干し (hoshi) — drying
• Pronunciation: /mo.no.ho.ɕi/

Meaning

Clothes-drying rack; clothesline; the place or apparatus used for hanging laundry to dry.

A noun referring to the rack, pole, or line used to hang wet laundry outdoors or on a balcony. 物干し竿 (monohoshi-zao) is the horizontal pole, 物干し台 is the frame, and 物干し場 is the drying area. Hanging laundry on the 物干し in fine weather is a quintessential part of Japanese domestic routine.

Examples

1. 晴れた日には物干しに布団を干して、日光消毒をするのが気持ちいい。 On a fine day, hanging the futon out on the drying rack and letting the sun sanitise it feels wonderful.
2. 台風が来る前に物干し竿を取り込むのを忘れないようにした。 I made sure not to forget to take in the drying pole before the typhoon arrived.
3. マンションの物干しスペースが狭くて、大物の洗濯が一苦労だ。 The drying space in the apartment block is so narrow that washing large items is quite a struggle.

Usage Guide

Context: household, laundry, daily routine

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

Compound of 物 (mono, things/objects) and 干し (hoshi, drying). Literally the place or means for drying objects — primarily laundry and bedding.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal