1.
school backpack, school satchel
A rigid, box-shaped leather or synthetic backpack used by Japanese elementary school children. Traditionally red for girls and black for boys, though many colors are now available.
ランドセル comes from the Dutch word "ransel" (backpack), which came in with Western-style military equipment at the end of the Edo period; schools adopted the shape in the Meiji period.
Common collocations
- ランドセルを背負う (carry a randoseru on one's back)
- ランドセルを買う (buy a randoseru)
- ランドセルに入れる (put in a randoseru)
- 赤いランドセル (red randoseru)
Cultural note
- Used exclusively by elementary school students (grades 1-6)
- Purchasing a ランドセル is a major event for families, often done by grandparents as a gift
- High-quality models can cost ¥50,000-¥100,000 or more
- ラン活 ("ran-katsu") refers to the competitive process of choosing and buying one, often starting over a year before enrollment
- The rigid design protects textbooks and provides back support for young children