ラブホ

• 読み: ラブホ
• ローマ字: rabuho
• 漢字の分解: From ラブ (love) + ホテル (hotel) → abbreviated to ラブホ
• 発音: /ɾa.bu.ho/

意味

Love hotel — a type of short-stay hotel designed for couples, abbreviated from ラブホテル.

ラブホ is the standard abbreviation for ラブホテル (rabu hoteru, 'love hotel'), a uniquely Japanese institution providing private rooms for couples, typically rented by the hour or overnight. Love hotels are a well-known part of Japanese urban culture, characterised by themed rooms, discreet entrances, and a noticeable presence in entertainment districts. While primarily used by couples, they are also used by people who miss the last train or need a rest. The term is understood by all adults.

例文

1. 終電逃してラブホに泊まったことある。
2. あの通り、ラブホ街として有名だよね。
3. 最近のラブホ、設備がホテル並みにすごいらしい。

使い方ガイド

場面: friends, casual conversation, dating context

トーン: casual, matter-of-fact

正しい言い方

• あのへんラブホ多いよね。 (There are a lot of love hotels in that area.)
• 終電なくなったしラブホでいいか。 (We missed the last train, a love hotel will do.)

避ける言い方

• フォーマルな場や目上の人に「ラブホ」 (Don't mention ラブホ in formal settings or with superiors — it is a private topic)

よくある間違い

• Being too embarrassed to understand the term — ラブホ is a normal part of Japanese urban vocabulary, not inherently vulgar
• Not knowing love hotels can be used simply for rest when missing the last train — it is not always romantic

起源と歴史

Abbreviated from ラブホテル (rabu hoteru, 'love hotel'). Love hotels have existed in various forms since the postwar period, evolving from 連れ込み宿 to the modern ラブホテル format in the 1960s-1970s. The abbreviation ラブホ became standard casual usage.

文化的背景

時代: 1960s-1970s establishment, abbreviation standard since then

世代: All adults

社会的背景: Universal knowledge

地域メモ: Found across Japan, concentrated in entertainment districts. A well-known aspect of Japanese urban culture.