onsen

onsen — noun

1. a naturally heated underground spring in Japan, where mineral-rich water rises t

1.名詞
釋義

a naturally heated underground spring in Japan, where mineral-rich water rises to the surface and forms a pool people can bathe in

例句

Yuki led us to a forest onsen where steam rose into the cold air.

The water in this onsen smells of sulphur and is said to heal sore joints.

mineral onsen described by water type

同義詞
  • hot spring

    the general term for any geothermal spring, not specifically Japanese

  • thermal spring

    a more scientific term, used in geology rather than travel

常見錯誤

❌I went to a hot spring onsen.
✅I went to an onsen.
💡'onsen' already means 'hot spring' in Japanese, so adding 'hot spring' is redundant.

2. a Japanese inn or hotel built around hot-spring baths, where guests can stay ove

2.名詞
釋義

a Japanese inn or hotel built around hot-spring baths, where guests can stay overnight, eat traditional meals, and bathe in the thermal waters

例句

Mira booked a room at a family-run onsen with views of Mount Fuji.

collocation: family-run onsen

The onsen provided guests with a yukata robe and wooden sandals to wear.

同義詞
  • ryokan

    a traditional Japanese inn; may or may not have its own hot spring

  • hot-spring resort

    a more descriptive English equivalent, less culturally specific

用法筆記

Distinguish from sense 1 (the natural spring itself): this sense refers to the whole lodging establishment, not just the water source.

常見錯誤

❌We slept at an onsen spring.
✅We slept at an onsen.
💡sense 2 already means the resort; adding 'spring' pulls the meaning back to sense 1.

3. the custom of bathing in a Japanese hot spring, which involves washing thoroughl

3.名詞
釋義

the custom of bathing in a Japanese hot spring, which involves washing thoroughly with soap at a shower station before entering the communal pool to soak

例句

Joaquín washed carefully at the shower station before lowering himself into the onsen.

washing before entering onsen

Rachel learned to leave her towel outside the onsen before getting in.

custom: no towels in the bath

同義詞
  • Japanese bathing

    a broader term that includes sentō (public bathhouses) as well as onsen

  • hot-spring bathing

    describes the activity but loses the specifically Japanese cultural context

用法筆記

Distinguish from sense 1 (the spring) and sense 2 (the resort): this sense refers to the bathing experience and etiquette itself, not the place.

常見錯誤

❌I jumped straight into the onsen bath.
✅I washed at the shower before entering the onsen.
💡Japanese onsen custom always requires washing before entering the communal bath.