1.
dining table, dinner table
A table at which meals are eaten.
食卓に料理を並べた。
I set out the dishes on the table.
食卓での会話は大切だ。
Conversation at the dinner table is important.
家族全員が食卓を囲んだ。
The whole family gathered around the dining table.
母が作った料理が食卓にたくさん並んでいる。
The dishes my mother made are lined up on the dining table.
お正月には家族みんなで食卓を囲んで、おせち料理を食べるのが毎年の楽しみだ。
Every year, we look forward to gathering around the dining table with the whole family to eat osechi on New Year's.
食卓 specifically refers to a table used for eating meals, and by extension, the mealtime setting and atmosphere.
WORD FORMATION:
食 (food, eating) + 卓 (table, desk).
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 食卓を囲む: to gather around the dining table
- 食卓に並べる: to set dishes on the table
- 食卓塩: table salt
- 食卓に上る: to appear on the table (of food topics or dishes)
CONTRAST:
- 食卓: dining table (somewhat literary or formal)
- テーブル: table (general, neutral loanword)
- ちゃぶ台: low Japanese-style table for sitting on the floor
USAGE NOTE:
食卓 often carries a warm, family-centered nuance. The phrase 食卓を囲む evokes the image of family togetherness at mealtime.