Definition
A window — an opening in a wall or vehicle that lets in light and air, usually covered with glass.
Example
窓を開けると、涼しい風が入ってきた。
Show translation
When I opened the window, a cool breeze came in.
Etymology
From Old Japanese *mado*, likely derived from *ma* (間, "space/interval") + *do* (戸, "door/opening"). The character 窓 combines 穴 (hole/opening) on top with 囱 (a chimney/vent shape) below, reflecting its original sense of an opening for light and air.
Cultural note
Windows hold quiet symbolic weight in Japanese aesthetics — the view framed by a window (窓からの景色) is a recurring motif in literature, anime, and film, often representing contemplation, longing, or the boundary between interior life and the outside world. The phrase 窓際族 (madogiwa-zoku), literally "window-side tribe," is a well-known workplace term for employees sidelined to desk positions near the window with little meaningful work — a uniquely Japanese blend of spatial metaphor and corporate culture.