瓶

• Reading: びん
• Romaji: bin
• Kanji breakdown: 瓶 (bin) — bottle, jar
• Pronunciation: /biɴ/

Meaning

Bottle; jar. A glass or ceramic container for liquids or preserved foods.

A noun for bottles and jars, especially glass ones. Common compounds: 花瓶 (kabin, flower vase), 瓶ビール (bin biiru, bottled beer), 空き瓶 (akibin, empty bottle), 瓶詰め (binzume, bottled/preserved in a jar). In Japan, glass bottle recycling is taken seriously, and many beverages still come in returnable glass bottles. Distinct from ペットボトル (pettobotoru, plastic bottle).

Examples

1. ワインの瓶を開けてグラスに注いだ。 I opened a bottle of wine and poured it into a glass.
2. 空き瓶はリサイクルに出してください。 Please put empty bottles out for recycling.
3. おばあちゃんが梅酒を大きな瓶に漬けた。 Grandma soaked plum wine in a large jar.

Usage Guide

Context: daily life, recycling, food and drink

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

The kanji 瓶 combines 瓦 (tile/pottery) and 并 (together/side by side), suggesting a ceramic vessel. Originally referred to earthenware containers before extending to glass bottles.

Cultural Context

Era: Ancient

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal