What is やかん?
やかん refers to a kettle, typically a metal container used to boil water on a stove. It is a common household item in Japan for making tea or instant foods.
Usage and Context
やかん is used mainly for boiling water and is often mentioned in daily life contexts such as cooking or preparing hot drinks. It is a concrete noun and usually appears with verbs like 沸かす (わかす, to boil) or 注ぐ (そそぐ, to pour).
Common Collocations
- やかんでお湯を沸かす: boil water with a kettle
- やかんの取っ手: kettle handle
- 古いやかん: old kettle
These collocations help you talk about the kettle’s function, parts, or condition.
Register and Politeness
やかん is a neutral, everyday word. It is appropriate in casual and polite conversations alike.
Learner Tips
A common confusion is mixing やかん with ポット (pot or thermos). やかん is for boiling water on a stove, while ポット usually refers to an insulated container for keeping water hot. Remember this distinction to use the words correctly.