寝室
shinshitsu[ɕĩɰ̃ɕi̥t͡sɨ]
The Japanese word for bedroom is 寝室 (shinshitsu).
寝室 is typically used when referring to the specific function of the room as a sleeping area, whereas other terms might focus on the room's size or its role as a private space.
Meaning: room in a house where a bed is kept for sleeping (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The word is composed of the kanji 寝 (sleep) and 室 (room).
How do you pronounce it?
shinshitsu
Did you know?
- In traditional Japanese homes, a room may not be a 寝室 until a futon is laid out at night, as the same space often serves as a living room during the day.
- While 寝室 is the formal term, people often refer to their sleeping area as a 'washitsu' (Japanese-style room) if it contains tatami mats, regardless of whether it is technically a bedroom.
- In many traditional Japanese homes, the 'bedroom' is not a fixed room with a door, but a space created by sliding 襖 (fusuma) or 障子 (shoji) to enclose a section of the house.
Examples in context
- あれはトムの寝室？Is that Tom's bedroom?This example shows how to ask if a specific room is Tom's 寝室.Tatoeba #8573864 by small_snow, translation #2891439 by CK
- 寝室で物音がした。I heard something in the bedroom.This sentence is useful for describing hearing a noise inside the 寝室.Tatoeba #11327914 by small_snow, translation #11327761 by sundown
- 寝室は寝るためです。A bedroom is for sleeping.This sentence explains the purpose of a 寝室.Tatoeba #7894113 by say123, translation #7894090 by Dejo
- この邸宅の寝室はどこですか？Where is the bedroom in this mansion?
- 24 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
A couple is looking at a house during an open house.
- 大翔 Hirotoこの寝室はとても広いですね。Kono shinshitsu wa totemo hiroi desu ne.This bedroom is very spacious, isn't it?
- 美咲 Misakiはい、大翔さんの好みに合いそうです。Hai, Hiroto-san no konomi ni aisō desu.Yes, it seems to suit your taste, Hiroto.
- 大翔 Hiroto美咲さんは、ここをどう思いますか？Misaki-san wa, koko o dō omoimasu ka?Misaki, what do you think about this place?
- 美咲 Misakiとても明るくて素敵だと思います。Totemo akarukute suteki da to omoimasu.I think it is very bright and lovely.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “bedroom” translations and entries 寝室, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
