提灯(ちょうちん)

ちょうちん
noun
paper lantern
1. paper lantern, Japanese lantern
A traditional Japanese lantern made of paper over a collapsible bamboo or wire frame.
提灯(ちょうちん)に明(あか)りをともす。
To light a paper lantern.
祭(まつ)りの提灯(ちょうちん)が並(なら)んでいる。
Festival lanterns are lined up.
居酒屋(いざかや)の赤(あか)い提灯(ちょうちん)。
The red lantern of an izakaya.
Red lanterns are traditional izakaya signs

提灯(ちょうちん) is a traditional Japanese lantern made of paper over a collapsible bamboo frame.

CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE:
Paper lanterns are iconic symbols of Japanese festivals (祭(まつ)り) and traditional establishments.

COMMON TYPES:

  • 赤(あか)提灯(ちょうちん): red lantern (marks izakayas, yakitori shops)
  • 盆(ぼん)提灯(ちょうちん): Obon festival lantern
  • 小田原(おだわら)提灯(ちょうちん): collapsible travel lantern

COMMON EXPRESSIONS:

IDIOM:
提灯(ちょうちん)を持(も)つ: to support/flatter someone (lit. hold a lantern for)

Related Words

Related: 灯籠(とうろう) (stone/garden lantern)
Related: 居酒屋(いざかや) (traditional pub)
Related: 祭(まつ)り (festival)
general
Added 2026.1.16 17:49 · Revised 2026.6.9 0:22
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