ナプキン
なぷきん
noun
napkin
1.
napkin, serviette
A piece of cloth or paper used at meals to wipe hands and mouth.
ナプキンで口を拭く。
To wipe one's mouth with a napkin.
ナプキンを膝の上に置く。
To place a napkin on one's lap.
紙ナプキンをもらえますか？
Could I get a paper napkin?
2.
sanitary napkin
An absorbent pad used during menstruation.
ナプキンを買いに行く。
To go buy sanitary napkins.
生理用ナプキンはどこですか？
Where are the sanitary napkins?
ナプキンの替えを持ってきた。
I brought extra sanitary napkins.
From English "napkin." In Japanese, this word has two distinct meanings depending on context.
USAGE NOTE:
In everyday conversation, ナプキン often refers to sanitary napkins (生理用ナプキン). To specify table napkins, people typically say 紙ナプキン (paper napkin) or おしぼり (wet towel). In formal dining contexts, ナプキン can mean a cloth table napkin without ambiguity.
COMMON EXPRESSIONS:
- 紙ナプキン: paper napkin
- 布ナプキン: cloth napkin
- 生理用ナプキン: sanitary napkin (explicit form)
RELATED:
- おしぼり: wet towel (for hands, common at restaurants)
- 生理用品: menstrual products (general term)