Hello, you have come here looking for the meaning of the word 弁当. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word 弁当, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say 弁当 in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word 弁当 you have here. The definition of the word 弁当 will help you to be more precise and correct when speaking or writing your texts. Knowing the definition of弁当, as well as those of other words, enriches your vocabulary and provides you with more and better linguistic resources.
The use of 弁 for ben is an example of phonetic ateji (当て字), due to 便 having another sense of "humanexcrement'.
This etymology is missing or incomplete. Please add to it, or discuss it at the Etymology scriptorium. Particularly: “Expand etymology, such as a short history of the bento; citation needed since it's common "knowledge" that Mandarin got the word from Japanese.”
