Japanese word

席

Pronunciation

Romajiseki

Meaning

  • nounseat

Example

ここが私の席です。ko ko ga watashi no seki de su

This is my seat.

Illustration for 席 (seat)

More examples

休み時間の後で席に戻ります。yasu mi ji kan no ato de seki ni modo ri ma su

After recess, I return to my seat.

授業が始まる前に、自分の席を確認します。ju gyō ga haji ma ru mae ni ji bun no seki o kaku nin shi ma su

I check my seat before class starts.

Core concept

It marks where a person is meant to sit, whether the place is physical or assigned.

Common phrases

  • 席に着くseki ni tsu ku

    take one's seat

  • 席に座るseki ni suwa ru

    sit in one's seat

  • 席を取るseki o to ru

    save a seat

  • 席を譲るseki o yuzu ru

    give up one's seat

  • 席を立つseki o ta tsu

    leave one's seat

Similar words

座席zaseki: A place provided for one person to sit, often as part of a row in a public place.

Definition in Japanese

座る人のために定められた場所。suwa ru hito no ta me ni sada me ra re ta ba sho

Word origin

The Japanese noun 席 (seki, "seat") comes from Chinese 席, a character whose older meaning was a mat spread out for sitting and whose meaning developed into a designated place.

Usage tips

  • In everyday conversation, 席を取る (seki o toru) describes saving a place before someone sits there.

Word lists with this word