おたま

おたま
noun
ladle
1. ladle
A deep, round ladle with a long handle, used mainly to serve soup.
おたまで味噌汁(みそしる)をよそった。
I served miso soup with a ladle.
このおたまは深(ふか)くて使(つか)いやすい。
This ladle is deep and easy to use.
おたまを使(つか)って、スープを鍋(なべ)から器(うつわ)に移(うつ)した。
I used a ladle to transfer soup from the pot to the bowl.
カレーを作(つく)るときは、大(おお)きいおたまがあると便利(べんり)だ。
When making curry, having a large ladle is convenient.
おたまで鍋(なべ)の底(そこ)からよくかき混(ま)ぜないと、焦(こ)げてしまう。
If you don't stir well from the bottom of the pot with a ladle, it will burn.

おたま is the common everyday word for a ladle used to serve soup, stew, and other liquid dishes. The full formal name is お玉杓子(たまじゃくし), shortened to おたま in daily use.

Common expressions

  • おたまでよそう (to serve/dish out with a ladle)
  • おたまで掬(すく)う (to scoop with a ladle)
  • おたまでかき混(ま)ぜる (to stir with a ladle)

Etymology

おたまじゃくし also means 'tadpole' because of the similar shape — a round head on a long handle. The kitchen utensil likely got its name from this resemblance.

RELATED WORDS (kitchen utensils):

Related Words

Related: 杓文字(しゃもじ) (rice paddle/scoop)
Related: フライ返(がえ)し (spatula)
Related: 菜箸(さいばし) (cooking chopsticks)
Compare: 柄杓(ひしゃく) (ladle)
core
Added 2026.1.15 3:53 · Revised 2026.10.10 16:55
04000/04471_otama