のれん

の

れ

ん

Common wordJLPTN1Freq.FrequencyTop 50,000

Meanings

1

noun

shop curtain; split curtain

usually written using kana alone

A short curtain hung at the entrance of a shop or used as a room divider. Often bears the shop's name or crest.

店みせ先さきに青あおいのれんがかかっている。
A blue shop curtain is hanging at the storefront.
のれんをくぐって店てん内ないに入はいった

。

I passed under the curtain and entered the shop.

2

noun

reputation; goodwill; credit

usually written using kana alone

Figurative use referring to a store's established reputation, trust, or brand value. Sense 3 is a business term for goodwill as an intangible asset.

あの老舗しにせは長なが年ねんののれんに守まもられている。
That long-established shop is protected by its years of goodwill.
暖の簾れん分わけをして独どく立りつした。
He was allowed to use the master's trade name and set up his own branch.

Written forms

のれんUsage45%
Usually written in kana; the kanji form 暖簾 is rare and may not be recognized by all readers.
暖簾Usage54%
- のれん
  Kanji form; rarely used in modern writing. Included for recognition of traditional shop signs.
- のうれん
  out-dated reading
- のんれん
  out-dated reading
ノレンUsage1%
のうれん
out-dated reading
のんれん
out-dated reading

Kanji

暖warmth
簾bamboo screen, rattan blind

Similar words

看かん板ばん
看板 is a physical signboard, while のれん is a fabric curtain. Figuratively, 看板 can also mean 'public face' or 'pretense', whereas のれん emphasizes inherited trust and reputation.
暖の簾れん分わけ
暖簾分け is the act of a master allowing a disciple to use the shop's name and start a branch, literally 'dividing the curtain'.

Etymology

Originally referred to a curtain hung in a doorway. The figurative sense of 'reputation' comes from the idea that a shop's name and trust are displayed on its curtain. The kanji 暖簾 literally means 'warm curtain', but the exact derivation is uncertain.