Usage patterns 〈 場所ばしょ〉 〉 で 〈 物もの〉 〉 を 土産みやげ に 買か う to buy something as a souvenir at a place
I bought some tea as a souvenir in Kyoto.
〈 人ひと〉 〉 に 土産みやげ を 渡わた す to hand a souvenir/gift to someone
I gave my friend a souvenir from my trip.
〈 人ひと〉 〉 から 土産みやげ をもらう to receive a souvenir/gift from someone
I got a souvenir from Hawaii from my teacher.
〈 人ひと〉 〉 に 土産みやげ を 持も っていく to bring a gift when visiting someone
I brought a gift when I visited my senior's house.
お 土産みやげ に 〈 事こと〉 〉 を 持も って 帰かえ る to bring back something unpleasant (figuratively) from a trip
I came back from the trip with a cold as an unwanted souvenir.
Expressions 冥めい 土ど の 土産みやげ a memory to take to the afterlife; something that makes one feel they can die in peace Kanji 産 products, bear, give birth Related words 手土産 specifically means a small gift you carry by hand when visiting someone, while 土産 can also refer to something bought during travel.
贈り物 is a general word for any gift given on any occasion, whereas 土産 specifically implies something brought back from a trip or visit.
プレゼント is a casual loanword for a present given for birthdays or events, while 土産 is tied to travel or visiting.
Don't confuse with 土産物 refers to the actual souvenir goods sold in shops, while 土産 refers to the gift itself, whether bought or given.
土産 written this way is almost always read みやげ in everyday Japanese; the reading どさん for the same kanji is rare and appears mainly in formal or academic writing.
土産 is a souvenir or gift someone brings back from travel, while 名物 is the famous item itself that a place is known for (often bought as 土産 ).
土産 is a gift or souvenir bought to bring back for someone, whereas 名産 is the regional specialty itself, whether or not it is bought as a gift.
Counted with For dishes in a meal and articles of goods (一品 = one dish/item).
When referring to individual souvenir items or pieces, 個 can be used, but 品 is more natural as a counter for gifts/merchandise.
Word family· 9 souvenir; local specialty gift · gift from a visitor · unwelcome gift; something unpleasant brought back
souvenir; gift from a trip
small gift brought when visiting someone
souvenir; souvenir item
souvenir shop; gift shop
Show 4 more Show fewer Written forms 土産みやげ Usage 74%
gikun (meaning-based reading) or jukujikun
Standard kanji spelling; the reading みやげ is a jukujikun.
みやげ Usage 26%
gikun (meaning-based reading) or jukujikun
Kana spelling is common in everyday writing.
ミヤゲ Usage <1%
Etymology The kanji 土産 literally mean 'earth product,' reflecting the idea of a local specialty. The reading みやげ is a jukujikun (special kanji reading) whose exact origin is uncertain, but it may derive from 見上げ (miage, 'looking up') or 宮笥 (miyake, 'shrine offering').
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