魔法瓶(まほうびん)

Literally "magic bottle" (魔法(まほう) + 瓶(びん)), named because the vacuum insulation seemed magical when the technology was new.

Usage

While 魔法瓶(まほうびん) is the generic term, the brand name サーモス (Thermos) is also widely recognized. In everyday speech, 水筒(すいとう) (water bottle/canteen) is often used for portable insulated containers, while 魔法瓶(まほうびん) may refer to larger tabletop models as well.

Common collocations

• 魔法瓶(まほうびん)に入(い)れる: to put in a thermos
• 魔法瓶(まほうびん)を持(も)っていく: to bring a thermos
• 保温(ほおん)魔法瓶(まほうびん): heat-retaining thermos
• 魔法瓶(まほうびん)タイプ: thermos-type (describing insulated products)

Related words

• 水筒(すいとう): water bottle, canteen
• 保温(ほおん): heat retention
• 保冷(ほれい): cold retention
• 真空(しんくう): vacuum (as in 真空(しんくう)断熱(だんねつ), vacuum insulation)