ボールペン
ぼーるぺん
noun
ballpoint pen
1.
ballpoint pen
A pen with a small rotating ball at the tip that dispenses ink. A common writing instrument for everyday use.
ボールペン is a loanword from English "ball pen" (ballpoint pen)—the most common everyday writing instrument.
ETYMOLOGY: From English "ball pen" (short for ballpoint pen).
COUNTER: 本 (e.g., ボールペン一本)
RELATED WRITING INSTRUMENTS:
- ボールペン: ballpoint pen
- 鉛筆: pencil
- シャープペンシル / シャーペン: mechanical pencil
- 万年筆: fountain pen
- サインペン: felt-tip pen, marker
USAGE NOTE: Official documents in Japan often require 黒いボールペン (black ballpoint pen) rather than pencil.