贈答品(ぞうとうひん)

Composed of 贈答(ぞうとう) (gift-giving/exchange of gifts) + 品(ひん) (item). Refers specifically to gifts exchanged on formal occasions, as opposed to casual birthday presents or souvenirs.

Common collocations

• 贈答品(ぞうとうひん)を贈(おく)る: to send a gift
• 贈答品(ぞうとうひん)売(う)り場(ば): gift section (in a department store)
• 贈答品(ぞうとうひん)用(よう): for gift-giving purposes
• 贈答品(ぞうとうひん)の包装(ほうそう): gift wrapping

Similar words

• プレゼント: present — casual, often for birthdays or personal occasions
• 贈(おく)り物(もの): gift — general term covering both formal and informal gifts
• お土産(みやげ): souvenir — specifically a gift brought back from travel
• 引(ひ)き出物(でもの): wedding favor — gifts given to guests at a wedding

Cultural note

Japan has a strong culture of formal gift-giving. The two main 贈答品(ぞうとうひん) seasons are お中元(ちゅうげん) (mid-year, around July) and お歳暮(せいぼ) (year-end, around December), when people send gifts to business contacts, teachers, doctors, and others they are indebted to. Department stores set up special 贈答品(ぞうとうひん) sections during these seasons.