食卓

• Reading: しょくたく
• Romaji: shokutaku
• Kanji breakdown: 食 (shoku) — food, eating; 卓 (taku) — table, desk
• Pronunciation: /ɕo.kɯ.ta.kɯ/

Meaning

Dining table; dinner table. The table where meals are served and eaten.

A noun referring specifically to a table used for meals, as opposed to a desk or work table. Often used in the expression 食卓を囲む (to gather around the dining table), emphasizing family togetherness. Can also modify other nouns with の, as in 食卓の上 (on the dining table).

Examples

1. 家族みんなで食卓を囲んだ。 The whole family gathered around the dining table.
2. 食卓の上に花を飾った。 I put flowers on the dining table.
3. 母が食卓に料理を並べてくれた。 Mom set out the dishes on the dining table for us.

Usage Guide

Context: home life, family, meals

Tone: warm

Origin & History

Composed of 食 (eating, food) and 卓 (table, desk). The combination specifically designates a table for the purpose of dining.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal