お土産|おみやげomiyage

JLPT N4approx.Common
Definitions
  1. nounlocal specialty or souvenir bought as a gift while traveling (travelling)
    これは北海道ほっかいどうからのお土産みやげです。↗
    This is a souvenir from Hokkaido.
  2. nounpresent brought by a visitor
    波風なみかぜを鎮しずめるにはチーズケーキのお土産みやげが良よいらしいですよ。↗
    A gift of cheesecake is apparently good to soothe discord.
  3. nounsomething unpleasant that one is given (e.g. an illness while on vacation); unwelcome gift; disservice
Synonyms & antonyms
  • Synonym土産みやげNeutralThe bare form without 「お」; used in everyday phrases like 「土産を買う」 and compounds such as 「土産話」. 「お土産」 sounds politer and softer.
  • Synonym手土産てみやげNeutralA small gift you bring when visiting, as in 「手土産を持参する」; it has no travel-specialty sense.
  • SynonymスーベニアNeutralLoanword for travel souvenirs; rare in everyday talk, where 「お土産」 is the usual word. 「お土産」 also covers local specialties you bring back for others.
  • Related贈り物おくりものNeutralA general word for gifts, broader in range than 「お土産」: not limited to travel specialties or items brought on a visit.
  • RelatedギフトNeutralLoanword used mostly in commercial contexts, e.g. 「ギフトセット」; it has no travel-specialty nuance.
  • RelatedプレゼントNeutralThe most common everyday word for presents; not limited to specialties — the usual choice for birthday and holiday gifts.
  • Related付け届けつけとどけWrittenWritten word for a thank-you gift or a bribe; carries a sense of exchanging favors, nothing to do with travel specialties.
  • Related引き出物ひきでものNeutralA return gift the host gives guests at weddings and the like — the opposite direction from 「お土産」, which the visitor brings.
  • Related頂き物いただきものFormalHumble term for a gift you have received, as in 「頂き物ですが」; not limited to travel specialties.
  • Relatedもらい物もらいものCasualColloquial word for things received from others; more casual than 「頂き物」 and not limited to travel specialties.
  • Related進物しんもつWrittenWritten word for gifts formally presented to someone, common at gift counters; it lacks the travel flavor of 「お土産」.
  • Related頂戴物ちょうだいものFormalHumble term for things one has received, close to 「頂き物」 but less common; unlike 「お土産」, not tied to travel specialties.
  • RelatedおもたせFormalHonorific for a gift a guest brings, as in 「お持たせですが」; used from the host's side.

For travel specialties and souvenirs, 「お土産」 is the default. Use 「手土産」 for a gift brought on a visit and 「引き出物」 for wedding return gifts. For gifts in general say 「贈り物」 or 「プレゼント」; to refer humbly to something you received, 「頂き物」.

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

Japanese definitions
  1. 「土産みやげ」の丁寧ていねい語ご。
Kanji in this word
See also

JLPT vocabulary levels are community estimates, not official (no official lists have been published since the 2010 revision).

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