待合室

• Reading: まちあいしつ
• Romaji: machiaishitsu
• Kanji breakdown: 待 (machi) — wait; 合 (ai) — meet, together; 室 (shitsu) — room, chamber
• Pronunciation: /ma.tɕi.a.i.ɕi.tsɯ/

Meaning

Waiting room. A public room where people sit and wait, especially at clinics, stations, or offices.

A noun combining 待合 (machiai, waiting together) with 室 (shitsu, room). Refers specifically to public waiting areas such as those in hospitals, dental clinics, government offices, and train stations. Different from 控え室 (hikaeshitsu), which is a private backstage or preparation area. In Japan, waiting rooms typically feature magazines, a television, and sometimes vending machines.

Examples

1. 病院の待合室で一時間も待たされた。 I was kept waiting for a whole hour in the hospital waiting room.
2. 待合室にはたくさんの人がいた。 There were a lot of people in the waiting room.
3. 駅の待合室で電車が来るのを待った。 I waited for the train in the station waiting room.

Usage Guide

Context: hospitals, stations, government offices

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

From Japanese: 待合 (machiai, from 待ち合わせる, to wait together/meet up) + 室 (shitsu, Sino-Japanese for room). A room where people gather to wait.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal