(せんめんき)

せんめんき
noun
wash basin; wash bowl
1. wash basin; wash bowl
A shallow, portable bowl used to hold water for washing the face or hands, common at public baths and in older bathrooms.
洗面器(せんめんき)(みず)をためる。
To fill the wash basin with water.
銭湯(せんとう)洗面器(せんめんき)()りた。
I borrowed a wash bowl at the public bath.
子供(こども)のころは洗面器(せんめんき)にお()()れて(かみ)(あら)った。
As a child I would fill a wash basin with hot water to wash my hair.

A portable plastic or metal bowl for holding wash water, most associated with public baths (銭湯(せんとう)). Distinct from a fixed bathroom sink.

COMMON COLLOCATIONS:

  • 洗面器(せんめんき)(みず)をためる: to fill the basin with water
  • 洗面器(せんめんき)にお()()れる: to put hot water in the basin

SIMILAR WORDS:

  • 洗面台(せんめんだい): bathroom sink; vanity — the fixed washbasin unit, not the portable bowl
  • たらい: tub; washtub — larger, used for laundry or bathing a small child