1.
face towel; hand towel
a medium-sized towel, typically about 34×80 cm, used for drying the face and hands
The standard medium-sized towel in Japanese households, used primarily for drying the face and hands. In Japan, towels are categorized by size more precisely than in many Western countries.
Common collocations
- フェイスタオルで顔を拭く: to dry one's face with a face towel
- フェイスタオルを交換する: to replace a face towel
- 今治フェイスタオル: Imabari face towel (a famous towel-producing region)
Japanese towel sizes
- ハンドタオル / タオルハンカチ: hand towel (approx. 25×25 cm) — pocket-sized
- フェイスタオル: face towel (approx. 34×80 cm) — the most common household towel
- バスタオル: bath towel (approx. 60×120 cm) — large towel for after bathing
Usage
In Japanese daily life, フェイスタオル is the most frequently used towel size. Many Japanese people prefer using a フェイスタオル even after bathing, rather than a full-sized バスタオル, as it dries faster and takes up less space in the laundry.