1.
veranda; engawa (wooden porch along the side of a traditional Japanese house)
veranda; engawa (wooden porch along the side of a traditional Japanese house)
縁側に座って庭を眺めた。
I sat on the veranda and gazed at the garden.
夏は縁側で涼むのが気持ちいい。
In summer, it feels nice to cool off on the veranda.
祖父は縁側でお茶を飲むのが日課だ。
My grandfather's daily routine is to drink tea on the veranda.
猫が縁側の日当たりのいい場所で寝ている。
The cat is sleeping in a sunny spot on the veranda.
昔の日本の家には縁側があって、近所の人がお茶を飲みに来たりしたそうだ。
Old Japanese houses had verandas, and apparently neighbors would come by for tea.
縁側 is a distinctive feature of traditional Japanese houses—a wooden-floored corridor or porch that runs along the outer edge of the house, facing the garden. It serves as a transitional space between inside and outside.
Characteristics:
- Usually made of wooden planks
- Located between the room and the garden
- Often used for relaxation, drinking tea, or enjoying the view
- May be covered (濡れ縁) or uncovered
Cultural notes:
- Common setting in nostalgic depictions of Japanese life
- Associated with summer scenes (打ち水, 風鈴, 西瓜)
- Gradually disappearing with modern architecture