1.
mosquito net
a fine mesh net hung over a sleeping area to keep out mosquitoes and other insects
蚊帳を吊る。
To hang a mosquito net.
A traditional Japanese household item used during summer to keep mosquitoes away while sleeping. Though less common in modern Japan due to screens and air conditioning, mosquito nets remain culturally significant and appear in literature and idioms.
Common collocations
- 蚊帳を吊る: to hang a mosquito net
- 蚊帳の中: inside the mosquito net
- 蚊帳の外: outside the mosquito net; left out, excluded
Common expressions
- 蚊帳の外に置く: to leave someone out of the loop, to exclude from involvement. This is a widely used figurative expression meaning to be shut out of discussions or decisions.
Cultural note
Traditionally made from hemp or cotton mesh, mosquito nets were a staple of Japanese summers before modern insect repellents and window screens became widespread. They evoke a nostalgic image of traditional summer life in Japan.