(まくら)

まくら
noun
pillow
1. pillow
A cushion to support the head while sleeping or resting.
(たか)(まくら)(くび)(いた)くなる。
A high pillow makes my neck hurt.
(まくら)()えると(ねむ)れない。
I can't sleep if I change my pillow.
枕元(まくらもと)(みず)()いている。
I keep water by my bedside.
ホテルの(まくら)(やわ)らかすぎて()にくかった。
The hotel pillow was too soft and hard to sleep on.
借金(しゃっきん)全部(ぜんぶ)(かえ)したので、やっと(まくら)(たか)くして(ねむ)れる。
I paid off all my debt, so I can finally sleep without worries.
[Note: (まくら)(たか)くして(ねむ)る means to sleep peacefully, without anxiety]

(まくら) refers to the pillow used for sleeping.

COMMON EXPRESSIONS:

  • 枕元(まくらもと) (bedside, by one's pillow)
  • (まくら)カバー (pillowcase)
  • 高枕(たかまくら)(ねむ)る (to sleep without worries, lit: sleep on a high pillow)
  • (まくら)(たか)くして(ねむ)る (to sleep peacefully)

TRADITIONAL JAPANESE PILLOWS:
Traditional Japanese pillows ((まくら)) were historically hard and filled with materials like buckwheat hulls (蕎麦殻(そばがら)), unlike soft Western-style pillows.

COUNTER: ()