炬燵(こたつ)

こたつ
noun
kotatsu (heated table)
1. kotatsu, heated table
A traditional Japanese low table with an electric heater underneath and a blanket that drapes over the sides to trap heat, used for warming the lower body during cold weather.
炬燵(こたつ)から出(で)たくない。
I don't want to get out of the kotatsu.
炬燵(こたつ)で寝(ね)ると風邪(かぜ)をひくよ。
You'll catch a cold if you fall asleep in the kotatsu.
寒(さむ)くなったので炬燵(こたつ)を出(だ)した。
It got cold, so I set up the kotatsu.
冬(ふゆ)は炬燵(こたつ)に入(はい)ってみかんを食(た)べるのが好(す)きだ。
In winter, I like getting into the kotatsu and eating mandarin oranges.
日本(にほん)の冬(ふゆ)と言(い)えば炬燵(こたつ)とみかんだが、最近(さいきん)は炬燵(こたつ)のない家(いえ)も増(ふ)えている。
When people think of Japanese winter, they think of kotatsu and mandarin oranges, but recently more homes don't have a kotatsu.

The 炬燵(こたつ) is a quintessential Japanese winter comfort item. It consists of a low wooden table frame covered with a 布団(ふとん) or heavy blanket, with a heat source underneath. Modern kotatsu typically use electric heaters.

COMMON COLLOCATIONS:

CULTURAL NOTES:

  • Traditionally associated with eating みかん (mandarin oranges) while staying warm in winter.
  • The combination of 炬燵(こたつ)とみかん is a stereotypical image of Japanese winter comfort.
  • Sleeping in the 炬燵(こたつ) is considered unhealthy as only the lower body stays warm.

Related Words

Contrast: 扇風機(せんぷうき) (electric fan (summer))
core
Added 2026.1.16 11:32 · Revised 2026.6.4 22:12
05000/05070_kotatsu