noun
Refers to a cloth or canvas covering, especially on vehicles like trucks, horse-drawn wagons, or convertible cars. Also used for awnings over shop entrances or windows.
トラックの幌を外して荷物を積んだ。
We removed the truck's canopy and loaded the cargo.
店先に幌を張って日よけにした。
We put up an awning in front of the shop to shade it from the sun.
天幕 is a more general term for a tent or large canvas covering, often used for camping or events, while 幌 specifically refers to a covering on a vehicle or a shop awning.
屋根 is a roof in general, typically a permanent structure, whereas 幌 is a removable or flexible covering made of cloth or canvas.
The origin is uncertain. The kanji 幌 is used phonetically, and the word may be related to the idea of something that flaps or covers.