膳
small low table, tray
Readings
On'yomi
- ゼン
- セン
Kun'yomi
- かしわ
- すす.める
- そな.える
Nanori
- ぜ
- よし
Meaning
膳 centers on a small, low table or tray used for serving food, especially in traditional Japanese settings. The meanings are closely linked to the physical object itself.
Most common words using 膳
20 of 41- 膳ぜんN1
small dining table (usu. for a single person); serving tray (with legs)
- 配膳はいぜん
setting a place; setting the table
- お膳立ておぜんだて
setting the table; laying the table
- 御膳ごぜん
meal
- 膳所ぜんしょ
kitchen
- 据え膳すえぜん
meal set before one
- お膳おぜん
four-legged tray for festive food
- 一の膳いちのぜん
1st course at a banquet
- 一膳いちぜん
bowl (of rice)
- 一膳飯いちぜんめし
bowl of rice; single serving of rice
- 一膳飯屋いちぜんめしや
simple and inexpensive restaurant; diner
- 上げ膳あげぜん
placing a meal in front of one
- 上げ膳据え膳あげぜんすえぜん
taking care of everything; no need to do anything
- 下膳さげぜん
clearing up leftover food and dishes
- 二の膳にのぜん
side dish
- 会席膳かいせきぜん
elaborate dinner tray
- 内膳司ないぜんし
office in charge of the Emperor's meals (ritsuryō system)
- 和食膳わしょくぜん
tray of traditional Japanese food
- 四の膳よのぜん
fourth tray (of food)
- 大膳だいぜん
black-bellied plover; grey plover (Pluvialis squatarola)
Study
Etymology
膳 combines ⺼ (meat) with 善, which likely contributes the sound and the idea of something good or prepared. The character originally referred to a prepared meal or a tray for serving food.
Meaning mnemonic
The left side ⺼ (meat) sits on the right side 善 (good/virtuous), like a tray of good meat prepared for a meal. Picture a small low table holding a beautifully arranged dish.
Reading mnemonic
For ゼン, imagine a Zen monk carefully placing a tray of food on a low table: Zen -> ゼン, and the tray represents mindful eating.