控え室

• Reading: ひかえしつ
• Romaji: hikaeshitsu
• Kanji breakdown: 控 (hikae) — hold back, refrain, wait; 室 (shitsu) — room, chamber
• Pronunciation: /hi.ka.e.ɕi.tsɯ/

Meaning

Waiting room; anteroom; green room. A room where people wait before an event or appointment.

A noun combining 控え (hikae, reserve/waiting) with 室 (shitsu, room). Used for backstage waiting areas for performers, rooms where guests wait before ceremonies, or spaces where participants prepare before events. In television studios, it refers to the green room. Different from 待合室 (machiaishitsu), which is for general public waiting areas like clinics.

Examples

1. 出演者は控え室でリハーサルの準備をしていた。 The performers were in the green room getting ready for rehearsal.
2. 結婚式の控え室で花嫁が最終チェックをした。 The bride did a final check in the waiting room before the wedding ceremony.
3. 面接の前に控え室で待つように言われた。 I was told to wait in the anteroom before my interview.

Usage Guide

Context: events, television, ceremonies

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

From Japanese: 控え (hikae, from 控える, to hold back/wait) + 室 (shitsu, Sino-Japanese for room). A room designated for holding back or waiting.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal