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.
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