傘

• Reading: かさ
• Romaji: kasa
• Kanji breakdown: 傘 (kasa/san) — umbrella (pictographic kanji resembling an open umbrella)
• Pronunciation: /ka.sa/

Meaning

Umbrella; parasol. Used for protection from both rain and sun.

Japan has a strong umbrella culture. Convenience stores sell inexpensive vinyl umbrellas (ビニール傘), and many buildings have umbrella stands at entrances. Forgetting umbrellas is so common that lost-and-found offices are full of them.

Examples

1. 雨ですから、傘を持っていきましょう。 It's raining, so let's bring an umbrella.
2. 傘はどこにありますか。 Where is the umbrella?
3. 駅で傘を買いました。 I bought an umbrella at the station.

Usage Guide

Context: daily life, weather, going out

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

From Old Japanese. The kanji 傘 is a pictographic representation of an umbrella, with the top radical showing the canopy and the lower portion showing the ribs and handle.

Cultural Context

Era: Ancient

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal