カプセルホテル
Meaning: A capsule hotel — uniquely Japanese pod-style accommodation where guests sleep in compact individual pods.
A distinctly Japanese invention where guests rent small sleeping pods stacked in rows, with shared bathrooms and lounge areas. Originally designed for salarymen who missed the last train, they have evolved into a tourist attraction in their own right. Modern カプセルホテル range from basic businessman pods to stylish designer capsules. Many include saunas and manga libraries.
Examples
- 終電逃してカプセルホテルに泊まった。 没赶上末班车,就住了胶囊旅馆。Perdí el último tren y me quedé a dormir en un hotel cápsula.막차 놓쳐서 캡슐 호텔에 묵었어.
- 最近のカプセルホテルおしゃれすぎない? 最近的胶囊旅馆也太时尚了吧?Los hoteles cápsula modernos son demasiado estilosos, ¿no crees?요즘 캡슐 호텔 너무 세련되지 않아?
- 一回カプセルホテル体験してみたいって外国人の友達が言ってた。 我的外国朋友说想体验一次胶囊旅馆。Un amigo extranjero me dijo que quiere probar un hotel cápsula al menos una vez.한 번 캡슐 호텔 체험해 보고 싶다고 외국인 친구가 말했어.
Pronunciation
/ka.pu.se.ru.ho.te.ru/
Usage Guide
Context: travel, daily conversation, nightlife
Tone: practical, novelty
✓ Do Say
- カプセルホテルって意外と快適だよ。 (Capsule hotels are surprisingly comfortable.)胶囊旅馆其实意外地舒适。(胶囊旅馆出乎意料地舒服。)Los hoteles cápsula son sorprendentemente cómodos. (Capsule hotels are surprisingly comfortable.)캡슐 호텔 의외로 쾌적해. (캡슐 호텔은 생각보다 편해.)
- 飲み会の後はカプセルホテルに泊まればいいじゃん。 (After the drinking party, just stay at a capsule hotel.)喝完酒住胶囊旅馆不就行了嘛。(聚会喝完酒,去住个胶囊旅馆就好了。)Después de la cena con copas, quédate en un hotel cápsula y listo. (After the drinking party, just stay at a capsule hotel.)회식 끝나고 캡슐 호텔에 묵으면 되잖아. (술자리 끝나고 캡슐 호텔에서 자면 되지.)
✗ Don't Say
- カプセルホテルに家族連れで泊まるのは現実的ではない — 基本的に一人用 (Staying at a capsule hotel with your family isn't practical — they're designed for solo stays)带全家住胶囊旅馆不太现实——基本上是单人使用的(带家人住胶囊旅馆不太实际——它是为一个人设计的)Alojarse en un hotel cápsula con toda la familia no es práctico — están diseñados básicamente para uso individual (Alojarse en un hotel cápsula con la familia no es práctico — están diseñados para estancias individuales)캡슐 호텔에 가족 단위로 묵는 것은 현실적이지 않다 — 기본적으로 1인용 (캡슐 호텔에 가족이 함께 묵는 것은 현실적이지 않다 — 기본적으로 혼자 이용하는 곳이다)
Common Mistakes
- Thinking all capsule hotels are cramped and uncomfortable — modern ones can be quite stylish and well-equipped
- Not knowing that many capsule hotels are gender-separated, with different floors for men and women
Origin & History
Invented by architect Kurokawa Kishō, the first capsule hotel (カプセルイン大阪) opened in 1979 in Osaka. The concept was born from Japan's work culture and the need for affordable overnight accommodation near entertainment and business districts.
Cultural Context
Era: 1979 invention, ongoing Japanese cultural icon
Generation: All ages, tourist attraction for foreigners
Social background: Budget accommodation, salaryman culture
Regional notes: Found across major Japanese cities. Originated in Osaka. Has become an iconic symbol of Japanese innovation and space efficiency internationally.
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