研究室

• Reading: けんきゅうしつ
• Romaji: kenkyuushitsu
• Kanji breakdown: 研 (ken) — polish, sharpen; 究 (kyū) — investigate; 室 (shitsu) — room
• Pronunciation: /keɴ.kjɯː.ɕi.tsɯ/

Meaning

A professor's office; a laboratory; a research room. A room used for academic research at a university.

A Sino-Japanese compound commonly used in university settings. It refers both to a professor's personal office and to the broader research group or lab associated with that professor. University students in Japan often say 研究室に入る (kenkyuushitsu ni hairu) to mean joining a professor's research group, typically in their third or fourth year.

Examples

1. 先生は今、研究室にいますか。 Is the professor in the research office right now?
2. 研究室で実験のデータを整理しました。 I organized the experiment data in the research lab.
3. 来年からこの研究室に入りたいです。 I want to join this research lab starting next year.

Usage Guide

Context: university, research, academics

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

Sino-Japanese compound: 研 (ken, polish/sharpen), 究 (kyuu, investigate), 室 (shitsu, room). Together: 'a room for investigating and refining knowledge.'

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: Young adults

Social background: Academic