博物館

• Reading: はくぶつかん
• Romaji: hakubutsukan
• Kanji breakdown: 博 (haku) — broad, extensive; 物 (butsu) — thing, object; 館 (kan) — building, hall
• Pronunciation: /ha.kɯ.bɯ.tsɯ.kaɴ/

Meaning

Museum. A building where objects of historical, scientific, artistic, or cultural interest are stored and exhibited.

A noun composed of three kanji meaning a hall for broad learning about things. 博物館 refers to general museums (history, science, natural history), as distinct from 美術館 (art museum). Common collocations include 国立博物館 (national museum) and 博物館めぐり (museum hopping).

Examples

1. 日曜日に子供と博物館に行ってきた。 I went to the museum with my kids on Sunday.
2. この博物館には恐竜の化石が展示されている。 This museum has dinosaur fossils on display.
3. 新しい博物館が来月オープンするらしい。 A new museum is apparently opening next month.

Usage Guide

Context: tourism, education, culture

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

Composed of 博 (broad, extensive), 物 (thing, object), and 館 (building, hall). Together they mean a building for the extensive display of objects.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal