飯椀(めしわん)

めしわん
noun
rice bowl
daily-lifefoodtool
1. rice bowl
a small bowl specifically used for serving and eating rice
新(あたら)しい飯椀(めしわん)を買(か)った。
I bought a new rice bowl.
Each family member has their own rice bowl.
この飯椀(めしわん)は祖母(そぼ)から受(う)け継(つ)いだものだ。
This rice bowl was passed down from my grandmother.

Watch out

The everyday word for a rice bowl is 茶碗(ちゃわん) or ご飯(はん)茶碗(ぢゃわん), despite 茶(ちゃ) (tea) in the name. 飯椀(めしわん) is a more specific, trade-style word; it appears mainly in tableware shops and catalogs, often paired with 汁椀(しるわん) (soup bowl).

Cultural note

In Japanese households each family member often has their own rice bowl, along with their own chopsticks.

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