1.
to take a shower
The standard way to express taking a shower in Japanese. Uses the verb 浴びる (to bathe in; to be showered with) rather than a direct translation of 'take.'
シャワーを浴びてくる。
I'm going to take a shower.
朝、シャワーを浴びてから出かけた。
I took a shower in the morning before heading out.
運動のあとはシャワーを浴びて着替えたい。
After exercising, I want to take a shower and change clothes.
暑い日は一日に二回シャワーを浴びることもある。
On hot days, I sometimes take a shower twice a day.
In Japanese, you cannot say シャワーをする or シャワーを取る the way English says 'take a shower.' The correct verb is 浴びる, which means to be showered with or bathed in something (water, light, criticism, etc.). This is one of the most common collocations beginners need to learn.
In Japan, many people prefer 湯船に浸かる (soaking in a bathtub) over showering alone, especially in the evening. Showering alone is more common in the morning or after exercise.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 冷たいシャワーを浴びる: to take a cold shower
- 軽くシャワーを浴びる: to take a quick shower
- シャワーを浴びてさっぱりする: to feel refreshed after a shower
SIMILAR EXPRESSIONS:
- 風呂に入る: to take a bath — the general expression for bathing
- 湯船に浸かる: to soak in the bathtub — specifically about the soaking part