Japanese word

待合室

Pronunciation

Romajimachiaishitsu

Meaning

  • nounwaiting room

Example

病院の待合室で母を待ちます。byō in no machi ai shitsu de haha o ma chi ma su

I wait for my mother in the hospital waiting room.

Illustration for 待合室 (waiting room)

More examples

この待合室は、午後になると混みます。ko no machi ai shitsu wa go go ni na ru to ko mi ma su

This waiting room gets crowded in the afternoon.

Core concept

Describes a designated indoor space where people stay until their turn or appointment arrives.

Common phrases

  • 待合室で待つmachi ai shitsu de ma tsu

    wait in the waiting room

  • 待合室の入口machi ai shitsu no iri guchi

    entrance to the waiting room

  • 待合室に入るmachi ai shitsu ni hai ru

    enter the waiting room

  • 待合室を出るmachi ai shitsu o de ru

    leave the waiting room

Similar words

待合所machiaisho: A place where people wait for transport, service, or an appointment.
待機室taikishitsu: A room where people remain ready until an activity, service, or event begins.

Definition in Japanese

順番や約束の時刻を待つ人のために設けた部屋。jun ban ya yaku soku no ji koku o ma tsu hito no ta me ni mō ke ta heya

Word origin

待合室 (machiaishitsu) combines 待ち合い (machiai, "waiting together"), from 待ち合う (machiau, "wait together"), with 室 (shitsu, "room").

Usage tips

  • Japanese railway stations may have a 待合室 (machiaishitsu) for passengers waiting for trains, so the word is not limited to medical facilities.

Word lists with this word