Japanese word

傍聴

Pronunciation

Romajibōchō

Meaning

  • nounsit in on ___

Example

裁判を傍聴します。sai ban o bō chō shi ma su

I sit in on a court hearing.

Illustration for 傍聴 (sit in on ___)

More examples

国会の委員会を傍聴した経験があります。kok kai no i in kai o bō chō shi ta kei ken ga a ri ma su

I have sat in on a committee session of the National Diet.

Core concept

Centers on being present to observe formal proceedings without taking part in them.

Common phrases

  • 公判を傍聴kō han o bō chō

    sit in on a trial

  • 議会の傍聴gi kai no bō chō

    sitting in on a legislative session

  • 傍聴を申し込むbō chō o mō shi ko mu

    apply to sit in on a hearing

Definition in Japanese

裁判や議会などの公的な手続きに、当事者としてではなく見聞する立場で出席すること。sai ban ya gi kai na do no kō teki na te tsuzu ki ni tō ji sha to shi te de wa na ku ken bun su ru tachi ba de shus seki su ru ko to

Word origin

傍 (bō, "beside") + 聴 (chō, "listen") forms a Sino-Japanese compound for listening from the side as an observer.

Usage tips

  • In English, sit in on can describe attending a meeting or class, while 傍聴 (bōchō) usually suggests observing a formal proceeding such as a court hearing.

Related words

  • 傍聴者bōchōshaobservernoun

Word lists with this word