Japanese dictionary
How to say "pencil" in Japanese
鉛筆えんぴつ · enpitsu
"Pencil" in Japanese is 鉛筆 (enpitsu). A mechanical pencil is シャーペン (shāpen), short for シャープペンシル.
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Ways to say "pencil" in Japanese
| Japanese | When to use it |
|---|---|
| 鉛筆えんぴつ · enpitsu | Pencil. |
| シャーペンしゃーぺん · shāpen | Mechanical pencil. |
| 色鉛筆いろえんぴつ · iroenpitsu | Colored pencil. |
How to use it
The JLPT and many exams require pencils, not pens, for the answer sheets.
A pencil sharpener is 鉛筆削り (enpitsu kezuri).
Example sentences
- 鉛筆で書いてください。Enpitsu de kaite kudasai.Please write in pencil.
- 試験に鉛筆を三本持っていきます。Shiken ni enpitsu o sanbon motte ikimasu.I'll bring three pencils to the exam.
- シャーペンを貸してもらえますか。Shāpen o kashite moraemasu ka.Could I borrow a mechanical pencil?
- 子どもに色鉛筆を買いました。Kodomo ni iroenpitsu o kaimashita.I bought colored pencils for my child.
- 鉛筆削りはどこですか。Enpitsu kezuri wa doko desu ka.Where's the pencil sharpener?
- 鉛筆で下書きをしました。Enpitsu de shitagaki o shimashita.I made a rough draft in pencil.
Questions
What is シャーペン?
シャーペン (shāpen) is a mechanical pencil, short for シャープペンシル.
Can you use a pen on the JLPT?
No. Use a pencil for the answer sheet. Check the official instructions before the test.
Using Japanese at work?
See Executive JapaneseExecutive Japanese by CCN is one-on-one online Japanese for managers and directors doing business in Japan.