Vocapedia
Log inTry for Free

Looking up...

Explore

  • Words of the Year
  • Recent Lookups
  • Community Collections
  • How to Say

Dictionaries

  • English
  • Vietnamese
  • Japanese
  • Chinese
  • Spanish
  • French
  • Korean
  • German
  • Hindi
  • Italian

MY LEARNING

  • My Dictionary
  • My Collections
  • Reviews

Resources

  • Learning Resources
  • How It Works
  • Study Guides
  • Language Tips
  • FAQ
  • Getting Started
  • For Individuals
  • For Teachers

Community

  • Forum
  • Blog
  • Help Center
  • Partnerships

About

  • About Vocapedia
  • Contact Us
  • Feedback

Legal

  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Accessibility
  • GDPR Compliance
© 2026 Vocapedia. All rights reserved.
  1. Home /
  2. Dictionaries /
  3. 和英辞典 /
  4. 盆踊り

盆踊り

bon'odori

What does "盆踊り" mean?

Bon Odori festival dance

夏になると、盆踊りが各地で開催されます。

When summer comes, Bon Odori dances are held in various places.


How to use "盆踊り" correctly?

cultural

A traditional Japanese folk dance performed during the Bon festival to honor the spirits of ancestors.

お盆には故郷で盆踊りに参加します。

During Obon, I participate in Bon Odori dances in my hometown.

Often accompanied by taiko drums and traditional music. Participants dance in a circle around a yagura (tower).

Collocations

盆踊り大会Bon Odori festival盆踊りを踊るto dance Bon Odori盆踊りの音楽Bon Odori music

Synonyms

盆の舞お盆の踊り

Related Phrases

お盆phrase
Buddhist festival honoring ancestors (Obon)
精霊流しphrase
floating lanterns ceremony during Obon

Pro Tip

Cultural Context

Bon Odori is not just a dance but a communal activity symbolizing unity and remembrance. Participants wear yukata (summer kimono) and dance to simple, repetitive songs.

Gold Rule

Seasonal Timing

Bon Odori is typically held in mid-August, aligning with Obon. Check local schedules as dates vary by region.

Word Origin

Combines '盆' (bon, meaning 'tray' or 'Buddhist festival') and '踊り' (odori, meaning 'dance'). The festival originates from Buddhist traditions to honor ancestral spirits.

Usage Notes

Primarily performed during Obon (mid-August), a Japanese Buddhist custom to welcome ancestral spirits. Modern events are social gatherings with food stalls and games.

Word Breakdown

盆
Buddhist festival or tray
root
+
踊り
dance
root
和英辞典
Browse more Japanese→English words →

Learning Progress

Track your learning journey!

• Save words to build your vocabulary

• Monitor your daily streak

• Get personalized review reminders

• See words learned statistics

Log in to access advanced features and track your progress!

Go to Dashboard →

Words of the Year

The most notable words that defined each year. Discover the vocabulary that shaped our world.