チャイム

• Reading: チャイム
• Romaji: chaimu
• Pronunciation: /tɕa.i.mɯ/

Meaning

Chime; a doorbell or bell signal, especially the school bell.

A katakana loanword from English 'chime.' Most commonly refers to the musical tones that signal the start and end of class periods in Japanese schools. Also used for doorbells: チャイムを鳴らす (chaimu wo narasu, to ring the doorbell/chime). The iconic school chime melody (based on Westminster Quarters) is deeply associated with Japanese school life.

Examples

1. チャイムが鳴ったら教室に戻ってください。 Please go back to the classroom when the chime rings.
2. 授業中にチャイムが鳴って休み時間になった。 The chime rang during class and it was time for a break.
3. 玄関のチャイムを押したけど誰も出なかった。 I pressed the doorbell chime but nobody came out.

Usage Guide

Context: school, daily life, home

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

Borrowed from English 'chime,' which derives from Old French chimbe and ultimately from Latin cymbalum (cymbal). Adopted into Japanese as school bell systems modernised in the postwar era.

Cultural Context

Era: Postwar

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal