揺り籠（ゆりかご、yurikago）
- cradle

The Japanese word 揺り籠 (ゆりかご, yurukago) means "cradle" or "baby's crib." It refers to a small bed, typically for a baby, that can be rocked back and forth. It is a place of rest and comfort for an infant. The word evokes images of gentle movement and soothing for a baby.

⚫︎赤ちゃんは揺り籠の中で眠っている。 Translation: The baby is sleeping in the cradle. ⚫︎お母さんは子供を揺り籠に入れてから、静かに部屋を出た。 Translation: The mother put the child in the cradle and then quietly left the room. ⚫︎その揺り籠は木製で、とても可愛らしい。 Translation: That cradle is made of wood and is very cute.

This word is primarily used in contexts related to babies and infants. You would use it when discussing or describing a cradle or crib. You can use it in both formal and informal conversations.

⚫︎The word 揺り籠 is typically written with the kanji 揺り (ゆり, yuri) meaning "rocking" or "swaying" and the kanji 籠 (かご, kago) meaning "basket" or "cage." ⚫︎The reading is written in hiragana as ゆりかご. ⚫︎There are no other common ways to write this word. ⚫︎The okurigana (送り仮名, suffix hiragana) for 揺り is り.

⚫︎ベビーベッド (ベビーベッド, bebī beddo) - Baby bed (crib) ⚫︎ベビーサークル (ベビーサークル, bebī sākaru) - Playpen (though a playpen is not necessarily a cradle)

There isn't a direct antonym. However, one might consider words related to being awake or active instead of sleeping.

新しい揺り籠を買って、赤ちゃんを迎える準備をしました。 ・Translation: We bought a new cradle and prepared to welcome the baby. ・Explanation: This sentence describes the preparation of welcoming a baby by buying a new cradle.

古い揺り籠は、思い出がいっぱい詰まっている。 ・Translation: The old cradle is filled with many memories. ・Explanation: This sentence describes an emotional connection to a cradle due to sentimental value.

The word is formed from the verb 揺る (yuru, to shake/rock) which is the root of 揺り (yuri, rocking), and 籠 (kago, basket/cage). The meaning reflects the cradle's function of rocking to soothe the baby.