甕もたい

also: へ

Meanings

earthenware jar; large clay pot

archaic

Archaic term for a large earthenware vessel, historically used for storing alcoholic beverages or other liquids. Not used in modern everyday language; encountered mainly in historical or archaeological contexts.

古こ墳ふんから大おおきな甕もたいが出しゅつ土どした。
A large earthenware jar was excavated from the ancient tomb.
この博はく物ぶつ館かんには、酒さけを貯ちょ蔵ぞうするのに使つかわれた瓮もたいが展てん示じされている。
This museum displays earthenware vessels that were used to store sake.

See all 3 example sentences ›

Kanji

瓮jar, jug, container
甕jar, jug, vat

Related words

壺つぼ
壺 is a common modern word for a pot or jar, while 甕/瓮 is an archaic term specifically for a large earthenware vessel.
瓶かめ
瓶 is a general term for a jar or pot, still in use, whereas 甕/瓮 is an archaic variant with a more specific historical nuance.

Written forms

甕もたい
Archaic kanji for a large earthenware jar; 瓮 is a variant form. Both are rare in modern use.
もたいUsage100%
瓮
- もたい
  Variant kanji for the same archaic vessel; also read へ in some contexts.
- へ
  Archaic reading for 瓮; rarely encountered outside historical texts.
へ

Etymology

The exact derivation is uncertain; the kanji 甕 and 瓮 are both ancient Chinese characters for large earthenware jars, adopted into Japanese with the reading もたい (and へ for 瓮).