障 子(しょうじ)

しょうじ

noun

paper sliding door

1. shoji, paper sliding door

A traditional Japanese sliding door or room divider made of a wooden frame covered with translucent paper.

障子(しょうじ)を開(あ)けて外(そと)を見(み)た。

I opened the shoji and looked outside.

障子(しょうじ)の紙(かみ)を張(は)り替(か)える。

I'm replacing the paper on the shoji.

障子(しょうじ)から柔(やわ)らかい光(ひかり)が入(はい)ってくる。

Soft light comes through the shoji.

CULTURAL NOTE:
障子(しょうじ) are traditional sliding doors covered with washi (Japanese paper). They allow soft, diffused light to enter while providing privacy. Found in traditional Japanese rooms (和室(わしつ)).

COMMON COLLOCATIONS:

障子(しょうじ)を開(あ)ける/閉(し)める (to open/close the shoji)
障子(しょうじ)の張(は)り替(か)え (replacing shoji paper)
障子(しょうじ)紙(がみ) (shoji paper)

襖(ふすま) - fusuma (opaque sliding door, often decorated)
引(ひ)き戸(ど) - sliding door (general term)

DIFFERENCE:
障子(しょうじ) = translucent paper (lets light through)
襖(ふすま) = opaque (painted/decorated, blocks light)

[Register: Neutral]

Related Words

Contrast: 襖(ふすま) (opaque sliding door)

general

Added 2026.1.13 22:58 · Revised 2026.5.30 6:12

04000/04201_shouji