1.
pull tab; ring pull
The small metal tab you lift to open a drink can. Strictly the modern stay-on tab, though Japanese uses the word for the detachable rings of older cans as well.
From English "pull tab." The maker's own term is 缶蓋 or ステイオンタブ, but ordinary speech uses プルタブ for any drink-can opener tab.
Common collocations
- プルタブを引く / 開ける: to pull / open the tab
- プルタブを集める: to collect pull tabs (for charity)
- プルタブ式の缶: a pull-tab can
Cultural note
Collecting プルタブ to trade for wheelchairs is a long-running school and workplace charity activity in Japan, familiar enough that the phrase プルタブ集め needs no explanation — even though recycling the whole can is now generally more effective.