陶器（とうき、touki）
- ceramics

The Japanese word 陶器 （とうき - *touki*) refers to pottery or ceramics. Specifically, it generally describes earthenware and stoneware. It is a broad term encompassing a variety of objects made from fired clay. ⚫︎These items include things like dishes, cups, vases, and sculptures. ⚫︎陶器 is characterized by its opaque body, unlike porcelain which is translucent. ⚫︎The raw materials used typically include clay that contains iron, giving 陶器 a distinctive color after firing, often brown, red, or gray. ⚫︎The temperature at which 陶器 is fired is generally lower than porcelain. ⚫︎陶器 often has a slightly porous texture, making it less resistant to liquids than porcelain.

⚫︎このレストランでは美しい陶器の食器を使っています。 Translation: This restaurant uses beautiful ceramic tableware. ⚫︎お土産に陶器の湯呑みを買いました。 Translation: I bought a ceramic teacup as a souvenir. ⚫︎彼は趣味で陶器を作っています。 Translation: He makes pottery as a hobby.

You use 陶器 when you are referring to pottery or ceramic objects in a general sense. ⚫︎It's common when discussing art, craft, home goods, or the history of ceramics. ⚫︎It is applicable in contexts ranging from casual conversation to more formal discussions. ⚫︎It's suitable for describing the material, the objects themselves, or the process of making them.

陶器 is primarily written using the kanji 陶器. ⚫︎The reading is とうき in hiragana. ⚫︎There is no variation in the *okurigana* (hiragana suffix) for this word.

There aren't many direct synonyms for 陶器 in Japanese, as it's a specific term. However, you could use related terms depending on the context: ⚫︎焼き物 (*yakimono*) - baked goods, often referring to pottery or ceramics. ⚫︎セ⁠ラ⁠ミ⁠ッ⁠ク (*seramikku*) - ceramics (loanword). ⚫︎食器 (*shokki*) - tableware, if referring to dishes made of ceramic.

⚫︎磁器 (*jiki*) - porcelain. This is a related material, but distinct from 陶器. ⚫︎ガラス (*garasu*) - glass. A completely different material.

この美術館には、様々な時代の陶器のコレクションがあります。 ・Translation: This museum has a collection of ceramics from various eras. ・Explanation: This sentence describes a collection of pottery artifacts, using 陶器 in a general way.

母は古い陶器の花瓶を大切にしています。 ・Translation: My mother cherishes an old ceramic vase. ・Explanation: This sentence highlights the use of 陶器 to describe a specific object: a vase.

The word 陶器 is formed from the following kanji: ⚫︎陶 - *tou*: which refers to pottery or ceramics. ⚫︎器 - *ki*: which means vessel, container, or utensil. Therefore, the combined meaning directly reflects the definition of pottery and ceramic wares.