パン

• Reading: パン
• Romaji: pan
• Pronunciation: /paɴ/

Meaning

Bread; pastry. Covers all types of bread products.

A loanword from Portuguese (pão), introduced by missionaries in the 16th century. Includes all bread varieties from simple sliced bread (食パン) to filled sweet breads (菓子パン). Japanese bakeries are famous for creative flavours like melon bread and curry bread.

Examples

1. 朝はいつもパンを食べます。 I always eat bread in the morning.
2. このパン屋さんのパンはおいしい。 The bread from this bakery is delicious.
3. パンにバターをつけました。 I put butter on my bread.

Usage Guide

Context: daily life, breakfast, bakery

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

Borrowed from Portuguese 'pão' (bread) during the 16th century when Portuguese traders and missionaries arrived in Japan. One of the oldest loanwords still in daily use.

Cultural Context

Era: Edo period

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal