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【No. 1613】Zaisu (座椅子 - Legless Chair)

May 19, 2019 19:22
Zaisu

Yesterday, I introduced you to the Japanese word isu (椅子), which means "chair."

Chairs are one of the most common furniture that has been used all over the world since ancient times.

Of course, there have been chairs also in Japan, but Japanese people generally sat on the floor (tatami mat) in their houses, so zaisu (座椅子) was born.

Since za (座) means "sit" and isu (椅子) means "chair," the literal meaning of zaisu is "sitting chair."

Actually, it represents a legless chair only with a backrest (or a backrest and an armrest).
座椅子

昨日は "chair" を意味する「椅子」という日本語を紹介しました。

椅子は古くから世界中で使われてきた家具の一つです。

日本でも椅子は使われてきましたが、屋内では一般的に床に座る生活をしてきたため、「座椅子」が生み出されました。

「座」は "sit"、「椅子」は "chair" を意味するので、「座椅子」の文字どおりの意味は "sitting chair" となります。

実際には、脚がなくて背もたれのみ(もしくは背もたれと肘掛け)の椅子を表します。

Corrections (1)

No. 1 demonhead
  • Of course, there have been chairs also in Japan, but Japanese people generally sat on the floor (tatami mat) in their houses, so 'zaisu' (座椅子) was born.
  • Of course, there have been chairs also used in Japan, but Japanese people generally sat on the floor (tatami mat) in their houses, so 'zaisu' (座椅子) was born.
  • Actually, it represents a legless chair only with a backrest (or a backrest and an armrest).
  • Actually, it represents a legless chair with just a backrest (or also an armrest).
Toru
Thank you so much for the correction! :)

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