押入れ

• Reading: おしいれ
• Romaji: oshiire
• Kanji breakdown: 押 (oshi) — push; 入 (ire) — put in, enter
• Pronunciation: /o.ɕi.i.ɾe/

Meaning

Closet; built-in wardrobe. A recessed storage space with sliding doors found in traditional Japanese rooms.

A distinctly Japanese architectural feature, typically used to store futons during the day. Usually has an upper and lower shelf. Different from a Western closet — 押入れ literally means 'a place to push things into.' Modern apartments may have クローゼット (closet) instead.

Examples

1. 布団を押入れにしまってください。 Please put the futon away in the closet.
2. 押入れの中に古い箱がたくさんある。 There are a lot of old boxes inside the closet.
3. 子供が押入れの中で遊んでいた。 The kids were playing inside the closet.

Usage Guide

Context: home, traditional housing, storage

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

Compound of 押し (pushing) and 入れ (putting in). Describes a space where items are pushed in and stored away behind sliding doors.

Cultural Context

Era: Traditional

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal