着席
chakuseki
The Japanese word for seated is 着席 (chakuseki).
着席 is a formal noun used to refer to the act of sitting down, often seen in announcements or formal settings like ceremonies or meetings.
Meaning: sitting (adj)
What does it mean word for word?
The word is composed of the characters for 'arrive/wear' (着) and 'seat' (席).
How does it change in a sentence?
Adding the honorific prefix 'go-' (ご) to 'chakuseki' makes the phrase appropriate for formal instructions or requests directed at others.
How do you pronounce it?
chakuseki
Did you know?
- If you are seated at a formal dinner, your position is defined by 上座 (kamiza), the 'honorary seat' which is always the furthest from the entrance.
- The character 着 in 着席 (chakuseki) is the same character used in 到着 (tōchaku), meaning 'arrival', treating the act of sitting down as 'arriving' at a destination.
- While 着席 refers to the act of being seated, the Japanese language has a distinct word, 正座 (seiza), specifically for the formal way of sitting on the heels with legs tucked under the body.
Examples in context
- どうぞご着席ください、みなさん。Please be seated, ladies and gentlemen.This sentence is useful for seeing how to use 着席 in a formal request.Tatoeba #201323 by mookeee, translation #38531 by CK
- Suwatteiru yo. Mite! (座っているよ。見て！)I'm sitting. Look!
- 着席をお願いします。chakuseki o onegaishimasu.Please be seated.
- 準備ができたら着席してください。junbi ga dekitara chakuseki shite kudasai.Please be seated once you are ready.
Example conversation
A classroom during a lecture.
- 陽太 Yota皆さん、着席してください。minasan, chakuseki shite kudasai.Everyone, please be seated.
- 陽葵 Himariはい、分かりました。hai, wakarimashita.Yes, understood.
- 陽太 Yota陽葵さん、座ってくださいね。himari-san, suwatte kudasai ne.Himari, please take a seat.
- 陽葵 Himariありがとうございます。arigatou gozaimasu.Thank you.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
