おたま
Meanings
1
usually written using kana aloneabbreviation
Abbreviation of お玉杓子 (otamajakushi). Common in everyday kitchen contexts.
See also: おたまじゃくし
I ladle the soup with a ladle.
2
hen's egg
usually written using kana alone
Rare, old-fashioned, or dialectal term for a hen's egg. Modern Japanese normally uses 卵 (たまご) or 玉子 (たまご).
See also: 卵
In the old days, we kept chickens that laid eggs.
Usage patterns
- おたまで〈物〉をすくうto scoop something up with a ladle
I scooped up the soup with a ladle and put it in the bowl.
- おたまで〈物〉をよそうto serve/dish out food with a ladle
I'm good at dishing out rice with a ladle.