Definition

A small space or alcove in a Japanese home used to display art, flowers, or decorative items.

Example

In the traditional Japanese house, the tokonoma is often the focal point of the living room, showcasing beautiful flower arrangements.

Conversation

Have you seen the new tokonoma they installed in the living room?

Yeah, it looks beautiful with that flower arrangement!

I love how it adds a touch of elegance to the space.

Definitely! It makes the whole room feel more inviting.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Tokonoma → The word originates from Japanese (床の間), where 'toko' (床) means 'floor' or 'to place' and 'noma' (間) means 'space' or 'interval'. A 'tokonoma' is a decorative alcove in a traditional Japanese room, specifically designed to display art or flowers, thus combining the concepts of placement and space.

Memory Tip

Imagine a special 'space' ('noma') where beautiful things are 'placed' ('toko') — that's what a 'tokonoma' is, a decorative area in a Japanese room.

Visually Confused Words