団扇(うちわ)

うちわ
noun
round fan
1. round fan; uchiwa (rigid flat fan)
round fan; uchiwa (rigid flat fan)
団扇(うちわ)で顔(かお)を扇(あお)いだ。
I fanned my face with a round fan.
夏祭(なつまつ)りで団扇(うちわ)をもらった。
I got a round fan at the summer festival.
広告(こうこく)が印刷(いんさつ)された団扇(うちわ)が配(くば)られていた。
Fans with advertisements printed on them were being handed out.
暑(あつ)い日(ひ)は団扇(うちわ)で扇(あお)ぐと少(すこ)し涼(すず)しくなる。
On hot days, fanning yourself with a round fan cools you down a little.
団扇(うちわ)は折(お)りたためないので、扇子(せんす)より持(も)ち運(はこ)びにくいが、風(かぜ)が強(つよ)く出(で)る。
A round fan can't be folded, so it's harder to carry than a folding fan, but it produces a stronger breeze.

団扇(うちわ) is a rigid, flat, typically round fan that doesn't fold. It has been used in Japan for centuries to cool oneself and start fires.

Contrast with 扇子(せんす):

  • 団扇(うちわ): flat, rigid, doesn't fold
  • 扇子(せんす): folding fan

Cultural significance:

  • Associated with summer (夏(なつ)の風物詩(ふうぶつし))
  • Often given away as promotional items at summer festivals and events
  • Traditional designs feature seasonal motifs
  • Used in traditional dances and performances

Common expressions:

  • 団扇(うちわ)で扇(あお)ぐ (fan with a round fan)
  • 内輪(うちわ) (different word meaning "private" or "insider")

Related Words

Contrast: 扇子(せんす) (folding fan)
core
Added 2026.1.15 4:00 · Revised 2026.3.5 10:52
04500/04544_uchiwa