Basic Meaning
The word 皿 (さら) primarily means "plate" or "dish" and refers to the flat dish used to serve food. It is a common noun used in everyday conversation when talking about tableware.
Usage in Sentences
皿 is often used when discussing serving or arranging food, such as 皿に料理を盛り付ける (to serve food on a plate). It can also appear when talking about cleaning or storing dishes, like 洗った皿を棚にしまう (put the washed dishes on the shelf).
Common Collocations
- 皿を洗う: to wash dishes
- 皿に盛る: to put food on a plate
- 皿を割る: to break a plate
Register and Politeness
皿 is a neutral word suitable for both casual and formal contexts. It is not a polite or honorific term but is standard vocabulary.
Learner Tips
A common confusion is mixing 皿 with 器 (うつわ), which means "vessel" or "container" and can refer to bowls or cups as well. Remember 皿 specifically means a flat plate. Also, 皿 is often used literally but can appear in idiomatic expressions, so pay attention to context.