場所

• Reading: ばしょ
• Romaji: basho
• Kanji breakdown: 場 (ba/jou) — place, scene; 所 (sho/tokoro) — place, location
• Pronunciation: /ba.ɕo/

Meaning

A place; a location; a spot. Refers to any physical position or area.

One of the most versatile words for 'place' in Japanese. Used in everyday expressions like 場所を決める (to decide on a place), 場所を取る (to take up space), and 待ち合わせ場所 (meeting place). Also used in sumo wrestling to refer to a tournament (本場所). More general than 所 (tokoro), which can also mean 'point' or 'aspect.'

Examples

1. 待ち合わせの場所を教えてください。 Please tell me the meeting place.
2. この場所は静かで勉強しやすいです。 This place is quiet and easy to study in.
3. 荷物を置く場所がありません。 There's no place to put my luggage.

Usage Guide

Context: directions, daily conversation, planning

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

Compound of 場 (ba, place/scene) and 所 (sho, place/location). Both kanji relate to place, reinforcing the spatial meaning.

Cultural Context

Era: Classical

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal