扇 子(せんす)

せんす

noun

folding fan

informal

1. folding fan

A hand-held fan made of paper or silk stretched over ribs that can be folded when not in use. A traditional Japanese item used for cooling and in traditional arts.

夏(なつ)には扇子(せんす)が手放(てばな)せない。

I can't do without my folding fan in summer.

扇子(せんす)を広(ひろ)げて涼(すず)んだ。

I spread open the fan and cooled off.

日本舞踊(にほんぶよう)では扇子(せんす)が重要(じゅうよう)な小道具(こどうぐ)だ。

In Japanese dance, the folding fan is an important prop.

お土産(みやげ)に綺麗(きれい)な扇子(せんす)を買(か)った。

I bought a beautiful folding fan as a souvenir.

暑(あつ)い日(ひ)に鞄(かばん)から扇子(せんす)を取(と)り出(だ)して、涼(すず)しい風(かぜ)を送(おく)った。

On a hot day, I took out a folding fan from my bag and fanned myself with a cool breeze.

Cultural note: 扇子(せんす) is a symbol of Japanese culture and has been used for centuries. It's not just for cooling - folding fans are used in:

日本舞踊(にほんぶよう) (Japanese dance)
茶道(さどう) (tea ceremony)
能(のう)・狂言(きょうげん) (Noh and Kyogen theater)
落語(らくご) (comic storytelling)

VERBS USED WITH 扇子(せんす):

扇子(せんす)を広(ひろ)げる (to open a fan)
扇子(せんす)を閉(と)じる (to close a fan)
扇子(せんす)で扇(あお)ぐ (to fan with a fan)

Contrast: 団扇(うちわ) is a non-folding, rigid fan - more casual and often given away free as advertising.

Related Words

Compare: 団扇(うちわ) (rigid fan)

Related: 扇風機(せんぷうき) (electric fan)

core

Added 2026.1.13 20:35 · Revised 2026.9.2 12:02

04000/04039_sensu