ガラス

• Reading: ガラス
• Romaji: garasu
• Pronunciation: /ɡa.ɾa.sɯ/

Meaning

Glass; a glass pane. The material used in windows, cups, and various everyday objects.

Borrowed from Dutch 'glas.' Refers to the material glass, not a drinking glass (which is コップ or グラス). Commonly used in compounds like ガラス窓 (glass window) and ガラス戸 (glass door). The kanji 硝子 exists but is rarely used in modern writing.

Examples

1. ボールでガラスを割ってしまった。 I accidentally broke the glass with a ball.
2. このテーブルはガラスでできています。 This table is made of glass.
3. ガラスの窓をきれいにふきました。 I wiped the glass window clean.

Usage Guide

Context: materials, household, construction

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

Borrowed from Dutch 'glas' during the Edo period when the Netherlands was one of the few Western nations trading with Japan. The kanji 硝子 is an ateji (phonetic kanji assignment).

Cultural Context

Era: Edo period

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal