ランドセル（ランドセル、randoseru）
- school bag

ランドセル is a traditional, sturdy backpack used primarily by elementary school children in Japan. It's a defining feature of the Japanese elementary school experience. It is designed to carry schoolbooks, supplies, and other necessary items. ランドセル are typically rectangular and made of leather or synthetic materials. They are known for their durability and distinctive appearance.

⚫︎新しいランドセルを買ってもらいました。 Translation: I got a new school bag. ⚫︎ランドセルを背負って、学校に行きます。 Translation: I go to school, carrying my school bag. ⚫︎ランドセルは重いけど、頑張って運びます。 Translation: My school bag is heavy, but I will do my best to carry it.

This word is used to refer to the backpack itself. You'll hear it used when talking about school, children, and their belongings. You'd use it in conversations about school supplies, getting ready for school, or the memories of elementary school. When discussing elementary school students, you can usually mention ランドセル.

ランドセル is written in katakana: ランドセル. It's a loanword, so it doesn't have a kanji form. There are no variations in how this word is written.

There aren't direct synonyms in Japanese. While other types of backpacks exist, they wouldn't be called ランドセル.

There aren't direct antonyms because ランドセル is a specific type of bag. However, other bags for different purposes could be considered antonyms in terms of function (e.g., a briefcase for a businessperson).

小学生になったら、ランドセルを買います。 ・Translation: When I become an elementary school student, I will buy a school bag. ・Explanation: This sentence describes the purchase of a ランドセル in preparation for elementary school.

ランドセルは、日本の小学校の象徴です。 ・Translation: The school bag is a symbol of Japanese elementary schools. ・Explanation: This sentence highlights the cultural significance of the ランドセル in Japan.

The word ランドセル comes from the Dutch word "ransel," which means "backpack" or "knapsack." The Dutch were known to have used this kind of bag, and it was adopted by the Japanese military in the late 19th century as a backpack for carrying supplies. Later, it was adopted for use by elementary school children.