Translation guide
The English word "glass" covers several distinct concepts in Japanese: the material, a drinking vessel, a window pane, and eyewear. The most common translation depends on context.
a glass (drinking vessel)
Loanword from English. Used for cups made of glass, especially for cold drinks.
a pane of glass / window glass
Same word as the material. Often used in compounds like 窓ガラス (まどガラス).
A container for drinking, typically made of glass but sometimes plastic or other materials.
The most common word for a glass used for drinking, especially for cold beverages like water, juice, or alcohol. It implies a certain shape and material (usually glass).
Please pour water into the glass.
A more general word for a cup or tumbler, often made of glass, plastic, or metal. It can refer to a wider range of drinking vessels than グラス, including those without a stem. Commonly used for everyday cups.
Refers to a small sake cup, often ceramic or lacquered. Not a general 'glass' but used in specific contexts like drinking sake.
The hard, transparent substance used for windows, bottles, etc.
The standard word for glass as a material. Used in compounds like ガラス製品 (glassware), ガラス細工 (glasswork).
A flat piece of glass used in windows, doors, or picture frames.
Same as the material, but often used in context to mean a pane. Frequently appears in compounds like 窓ガラス (window glass).
A pair of lenses in a frame worn to correct vision or protect the eyes.
The standard word for eyeglasses. Can also be written as メガネ in katakana. Used for both prescription glasses and sunglasses (サングラス is also common for sunglasses).
A reflective surface, typically glass with a metallic backing.
The standard word for mirror. Not directly 'glass', but mirrors are made of glass and sometimes referred to as 'looking glass' in English.
The quantity contained in a glass.
Means 'a glassful' or 'one glass of something'. The counter 杯 (はい/ぱい/ばい) is used for cups and glasses.
グラス typically refers to a glass made of glass, often with a stem (like a wine glass) or a sleek design, used for cold drinks. コップ is a more general term for a cup or tumbler, which can be made of glass, plastic, or metal, and is used for both hot and cold drinks. In everyday conversation, コップ is very common for any drinking vessel that isn't a traditional Japanese teacup (湯呑み).
Drink wine from a wine glass.
He raised his glass for a toast.
I broke a wine glass.
Put milk in the cup.
Where are the paper cups?
杯を交わす。
To exchange sake cups (as a ritual).
This table is made of glass.
Watch out for glass fragments.
The kanji form of ガラス. Rarely used in everyday writing; the katakana form is overwhelmingly more common.
Watch out for glass fragments.
The window glass broke.
Please wipe the glass (window/mirror).
Specifically means 'sheet glass' or 'plate glass'. Used in technical or construction contexts.
To cut sheet glass.
Do you wear glasses?
I got new glasses.
Katakana version of 眼鏡, often used in casual writing or advertising. Same meaning.
Where did I put my glasses?
Specifically means 'sunglasses'. A loanword from English.
Sunglasses are a must in summer.
I look in the mirror and fix my hair.
Please give me a glass of water.
I drank two glasses of wine.
Same as above but using コップ. Slightly more casual or general.
A glass of milk.
Drink tea from a cup.
While ガラス means the material glass, it is not used to mean a drinking glass. Saying ガラスをください would be understood as 'please give me the material glass', not a glass of water. Use グラス or コップ for the vessel.
To count glasses of something, use the counter 杯 (はい/ぱい/ばい) attached to the number. For example, 一杯 (いっぱい) = one glass, 二杯 (にはい) = two glasses. This works with both グラス and コップ.
Three glasses of beer, please.
The glass is half full.
She accidentally broke the window glass.
I need to buy a new pair of glasses.