洗面台(せんめんだい)

A standard fixture in Japanese homes, installed in the 脱衣所(だついじょ) (changing room) or 洗面所(せんめんじょ), separate from the bathing area itself.

Etymology

• 洗面(せんめん)ボウル (basin/bowl)
• 蛇口(じゃぐち)/水栓(すいせん) (faucet)
• 鏡(かがみ) (mirror)
• 収納(しゅうのう)棚(だな) (storage shelf)
• 照明(しょうめい) (lighting)

Common collocations

• 洗面台(せんめんだい)で顔(かお)を洗(あら)う - to wash one's face at the sink
• 洗面台(せんめんだい)で歯(は)を磨(みが)く - to brush one's teeth at the sink
• 洗面台(せんめんだい)を掃除(そうじ)する - to clean the sink

Similar words

• 洗面化粧台(せんめんけしょうだい) (vanity unit, the retailer's term)
• 洗面器(せんめんき) (a portable washbasin, not the fixture)
• 洗面所(せんめんじょ) (the room the 洗面台(せんめんだい) stands in)

Cultural note

Because the Japanese 風呂(ふろ) is a separate wet room, the 洗面台(せんめんだい) sits outside it, often beside the washing machine. Items commonly kept there: 歯(は)ブラシ, 歯磨(はみが)き粉(こ), 洗顔料(せんがんりょう), 化粧品(けしょうひん), and a ドライヤー.