Meaning

Primary

Iron Plate

Alternatives

Iron Griddle, Teppan Grill, Sure Thing

Word Type

noun

Explanation

Well, you've got iron and you've got a board. You'd probably just call it an iron plate, though. But this often isn't just any iron plate. If you could guess from the reading, it's often used in cooking as an iron griddle, or a teppan grill. Ever heard of Teppanyaki?

Figuratively, it means a sure thing or a practically guaranteed success. For example, you can use 鉄板 for a racehorse almost certain to win, or a joke that consistently gets big laughs.

Reading

てっぱん
  • Kyoko
    (Tokyo accent, female)
  • Kenichi
    (Tokyo accent, male)

Explanation

This is a jukugo word that uses the on'yomi readings of the kanji. Watch out for the rendaku and you should be good!

Context

Common Word Combinations

  • 鉄板焼き

    Teppanyaki

    鉄板料理

    dishes prepared on an iron griddle

    鉄板ネタ

    a surefire joke

Context Sentences

業務用の鉄板を一枚注文した。

I ordered a single commercial-grade iron plate.

みんなで鉄板を囲んでお好み焼きを食べるのが好きだ。

I enjoy gathering around a teppan grill with everyone and eating okonomiyaki.

これ、オレの鉄板ネタなんだ。

This is one of my surefire jokes.

Kanji Composition