食卓(しょくたく)

食卓(しょくたく) specifically refers to a table used for eating meals, and by extension, the mealtime setting and atmosphere.

Forms

食(しょく) (food, eating) + 卓(たく) (table, desk).

Common collocations

• 食卓(しょくたく)を囲(かこ)む: to gather around the dining table
• 食卓(しょくたく)に並(なら)べる: to set dishes on the table
• 食卓(しょくたく)塩(しお): table salt
• 食卓(しょくたく)に上(のぼ)る: to appear on the table (of food topics or dishes)

Similar words

• テーブル: any table, the everyday word; 食卓(しょくたく) is a little more formal and calls up the family meal itself
• ちゃぶ台(だい): low Japanese-style table for sitting on the floor

Usage

食卓(しょくたく) often carries a warm, family-centered nuance. The phrase 食卓(しょくたく)を囲(かこ)む evokes the image of family togetherness at mealtime.