Translation guide
A small cup for drinking tea. In Japanese, the word depends on the type of tea and the cup's shape. The most common general term is 湯飲み (yunomi), a handleless ceramic cup for everyday green tea.
teacup (Japanese style, handleless)
teacup (Western style, with handle)
A small, handleless ceramic cup used for drinking Japanese green tea at home or in casual settings.
The standard word for a handleless Japanese teacup, typically used for green tea. It is the most common and neutral term.
Pour tea into a teacup.
Literally 'tea bowl', this can refer to a larger, bowl-like teacup, or a rice bowl. In tea contexts, it often implies a more rustic or traditional style, sometimes used in tea ceremony.
A cup with a handle, often part of a set with a saucer, used for black tea or coffee.
A very small, handleless cup used for Chinese tea or delicate brews, often part of a tea set.
Specifically a small Chinese-style teacup, often used in formal Chinese tea service. Not common in everyday Japanese.
Referring to the amount a teacup holds, often in cooking.
Means 'one cupful', using the general word カップ. In recipes, カップ often refers to a standard measuring cup (200ml), not necessarily a teacup.
Use 湯飲み for handleless Japanese-style teacups, and ティーカップ for Western-style teacups with handles. Using 湯飲み for a Western teacup sounds odd, and vice versa.
It's strange to drink coffee from a yunomi.
This teacup fits comfortably in my hand.
茶碗でお茶を飲む。
Drink tea from a tea bowl.
The direct loanword for a Western-style teacup with a handle, often used with a saucer.
Pour black tea into a teacup.
This teacup has a handle.
A general word for 'cup', often used for both teacups and coffee cups. Context clarifies the type.
Here's some tea in a cup.
Chinese tea is drunk from small teacups.
A general term for tea utensils, including teacups, but not a specific word for 'teacup'. Use only when referring to the whole set.
Gather tea utensils.
Add one cup of flour.
茶碗 primarily means 'rice bowl' in modern Japanese. While it can mean a tea bowl in traditional contexts, using it for a regular teacup will cause confusion. Stick to 湯飲み or ティーカップ.