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 夏(なつ) (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

Compare: 扇子(せんす) (folding fan)

Related: 扇風機(せんぷうき) (electric fan)

core

Added 2026.1.15 4:00 · Revised 2026.9.2 12:02

04500/04544_uchiwa