How to say "cupboard" in Japanese
Choosing the right word
- 戸棚とだなnounThe common, general word for a cupboard: any piece of storage furniture with doors. Its range also covers lockers, closets and wardrobes, so it is the default choice when you simply mean 'cupboard'.この本は戸棚の上です。↗This book goes on the top shelf.
- nounThe English loanword, written in katakana. It is less common than 戸棚, which is the common word for a cupboard, so this is seldom the term you actually need in Japanese.
- 食器棚しょっきだなnounA cupboard for storing dishes and tableware — the kitchen cupboard — also covering the sideboard of a dining room. Choose it when the cupboard's purpose is holding tableware; for cupboards in general, use 戸棚.
Use 戸棚 as the general word for any cupboard (it also covers lockers, closets and wardrobes); choose 食器棚 when the cupboard is specifically for dishes; 「カップボード」 is a less common loanword rarely needed.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese equivalents
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