How to say 'Festival' or 'Tray' in Japanese | 盆

Wondering how to say 'Festival' or 'Tray' in Japanese? You're in the right place!

The Japanese word for Festival or Tray is 'Bon', written as 盆 in Japanese.'Festival' or 'Tray' in hiragana is ぼん.

word

盆

Meaning

Festival, Tray

Reading

ぼん

bon

Kanji

盆Tray, Basin

Explanation

The Japanese noun '盆 (ぼん)' has two distinct meanings. The first meaning refers to a 'tray', typically a flat, shallow container used for carrying or serving items. For example: Please bring the tray「盆を持ってきてください」(ぼんをもってきてください). The second meaning refers to the 'Obon Festival', a traditional Buddhist event held in mid-August to honor the spirits of deceased ancestors. For example: During Obon, we visit our family grave「盆には家族のお墓参りをします」(ぼんにはかぞくのおはかまいりをします). These two meanings are unrelated, with the first being a physical object and the second being a cultural event.

Part Of Speech

noun

Kanji JLPT

Kanji Grade

Frequency

7411

Composition

kanji

Handwriting

Kanji in the Word 盆

This word contains 1 kanji character:

kanji

盆

Meaning

Tray, Basin

Words Related to 盆 Through the Kanji 盆

These 2 Words contain the Kanji 盆 as well.

word

盆地

Meaning

Basin

word

盆踊り

Meaning

Bon dance

Learn the Word 盆

Let's make sure you fully understand this word.

What does 'Bon' (盆) mean?

'Bon' means 'Festival' or 'Tray' .

To help you master this word, here's an interactive lesson where you'll practice its readings and meanings.