寮

• Reading: りょう
• Romaji: ryou
• Kanji breakdown: 寮 (ryou) — dormitory, hostel
• Pronunciation: /ɾʲoː/

Meaning

Dormitory; hostel; residential hall. A shared living facility, typically for students or employees.

A noun referring to communal living quarters provided by schools, universities, or companies. In Japan, 学生寮 (gakusei-ryou, student dormitory) and 社員寮 (shain-ryou, company dormitory) are common. Living in a 寮 is often seen as a formative experience for young people.

Examples

1. 大学の寮に住んでいるので家賃が安い。 I live in a university dorm, so my rent is cheap.
2. 寮のルールが厳しくて驚いた。 I was surprised at how strict the dorm rules were.
3. 来月から会社の寮に入ることになった。 Starting next month, I'll be moving into the company dormitory.

Usage Guide

Context: university life, work, housing

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

The kanji 寮 combines 宀 (roof) with elements suggesting an official building. Originally referred to government offices or lodgings, later narrowing to mean communal residences.

Cultural Context

Era: Classical

Generation: Young adults

Social background: Universal