扇子（せんす、sensu）
- folding fan

The Japanese word 扇子 (せんす - sensu) refers to a traditional Japanese folding fan. It is a handheld fan made of paper or silk stretched over a frame of thin bamboo strips. 扇子 are used to create a breeze for cooling oneself, but they also serve decorative and symbolic purposes in Japanese culture. They can be elegant accessories and are often associated with formal events.

⚫︎夏は暑いから、扇子を持ち歩きます。 Translation: I carry a sensu with me in the summer because it's hot. ⚫︎茶道では、美しい扇子が使われます。 Translation: A beautiful sensu is used in the tea ceremony. ⚫︎彼は着物に合うように、素敵な扇子を選んだ。 Translation: He chose a lovely sensu to match his kimono.

You can use 扇子 in various situations. It's common to use it in hot weather to cool yourself down. In formal settings, such as weddings or tea ceremonies, 扇子 are often considered essential accessories. When gifting a 扇子, it's customary to give it as a symbol of goodwill and good wishes. Be mindful of the context; for example, fanning someone with a 扇子 can sometimes be considered rude, so always pay attention to the situation.

The word 扇子 is typically written with the kanji 扇 (sen, meaning "fan" or "to fan") and 子 (su, a suffix to indicate a noun). The hiragana reading is せんす. There are no other common ways to write this word, nor are there significant variations in the okurigana.

There aren't many direct synonyms for 扇子 as it is a specific type of fan. However, you could use more general terms like: ⚫︎うちわ (uchiwa) - a non-folding, flat fan. ⚫︎扇 (ōgi) - a general term for fan (including 扇子).

There aren't direct antonyms for 扇子, as it refers to a specific item.

暑い日には、扇子で涼みます。 ・Translation: On hot days, I cool myself down with a sensu. ・Explanation: This sentence simply states the use of a sensu to provide coolness during the hot weather.

彼はプレゼントに素敵な扇子をもらいました。 ・Translation: He received a wonderful sensu as a present. ・Explanation: This sentence describes the act of receiving a sensu as a gift.

The kanji 扇 (sen) signifies a fan or the action of fanning, and the kanji 子 (su) is a common suffix for nouns, often meaning "child" or "thing". Therefore, 扇子 literally means "fan object". The design and usage of the 扇子 have a long history in Japan, with evidence suggesting its use dates back to at least the Heian period (794-1185).