台所
Meanings
1
The standard word for a kitchen in a home or apartment.
My mother is cooking dinner in the kitchen.
The kitchen in the new apartment is spacious and bright.
2
Figurative use referring to one's household budget or financial state. Often used in expressions like 台所が苦しい (finances are tight).
With my father's unemployment, our household finances are in dire straits.
Usage patterns
- 〈人〉が台所に立つfor someone to stand in the kitchen (i.e. to cook)
My mother is in the kitchen cooking early every morning.
- 台所が苦しいfor household finances to be tight
With more children, our finances have gotten tight.
- 台所を片付けるto tidy up the kitchen
After the meal, I tidied up the kitchen.
- 台所を預かるto be in charge of the household finances
My wife handles our household finances.