How to say "pottery" in Japanese

• 陶器とうきJLPT N1approx.Common
  nounPottery as the ware itself — earthenware and ceramics as objects or material, extending to soft-paste porcelain. The plain word for pieces in a shop or a region's products.
  陶器とうきは火ひで焼やかれた。↗

  The pottery was baked by fire.
• 焼き物やきものCommon
  nounLiterally 'a fired thing'; a broad word covering earthenware and porcelain alike. Fits general talk about the craft — a class, a kiln visit, or a piece bought as a souvenir.
• 窯元かまもとCommon
  noun'Pottery' only in the place sense: the kiln or workshop where ware is made, often a family-run one. It does not mean the pots themselves, so it is no substitute for 陶器 or 焼き物.
• 瀬戸物せとものJLPT N2approx.Common
  nounCeramic ware with a leaning toward dishes and tableware — the 'china' of the group, from the name of Seto, a famous production area. The word for crockery: dishes to wrap, wash, or pack away.
  その店みせは瀬戸物せとものを使つかっている。↗

  The store carries earthenware.

For pottery as ware or material use 陶器, or 「焼き物」 for fired ware and the craft generally; 瀬戸物 suits ceramic dishes and china, while 窯元 is 'pottery' only as a place — the kiln or workshop itself.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

• 陶器とうきpottery
• 焼き物やきものpottery
• 窯元かまもとpottery (i.e. the place)
• 瀬戸物せとものearthenware
• 陶すえpottery
• 陶物すえものearthenware
• せっ器せっきstoneware
• 焼きやき-ware