座席

• Reading: ざせき
• Romaji: zaseki
• Kanji breakdown: 座 (za) — sit, seat; 席 (seki) — seat, place
• Pronunciation: /za.se.ki/

Meaning

Seat; seating. A designated place for sitting, especially in vehicles, theaters, or events.

A noun referring to assigned or designated seats in formal settings. More formal than 席 alone. Common contexts: 座席指定 (reserved seating), 座席番号 (seat number), 座席表 (seating chart). Used for trains, planes, theaters, stadiums, and classrooms.

Examples

1. 飛行機の座席は窓側を選んだ。 I chose a window seat on the airplane.
2. コンサートの座席番号を確認してください。 Please check your concert seat number.
3. 新幹線の座席を予約しておいた。 I reserved seats on the bullet train in advance.

Usage Guide

Context: transportation, entertainment, events

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

Composed of 座 (sit, seat) and 席 (seat, place). 座 originally depicted a person sitting on the ground, while 席 referred to a mat or designated spot. Together they emphasize a designated place for sitting.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal