Translation and Meaning of: 浴室 - yokushitsu

The Japanese word 「浴室」 (yokushitsu) is made up of two kanji: 「浴」 (yoku), which means "bath," and 「室」 (shitsu), which means "room" or "chamber." Thus, the combination of the two characters results in "bathroom" or "washroom." In Japan, the bathroom often specifically refers to the bathing area, marked by a space different from the toilet, which is usually located in a separate part of the home.

The etymology of kanji provides additional insights into their semantic roots. 「浴」 comes from a combination of water and a radical associated with the practice of bathing, highlighting the cultural and historical relevance of hygiene and cleanliness in Japan. The kanji 「室」 has ancient roots used to describe a closed or covered space, indicating a dedicated and reserved place for certain activities, in this case, bathing.

The Japanese have a long tradition of 「温泉」 (onsen) and public baths, the 「銭湯」 (sentō), which demonstrates a strong cultural connection to the practice of bathing. The concept of 「浴室」 reflects this importance, as even in modern residences, the idea of a space dedicated to bathing is maintained. A typical yokushitsu setup in Japan includes a shower or washing area, in addition to a bathtub, often integrating water temperature control technology to provide a relaxing experience.

Historically, the adoption and popularization of bathrooms in Japanese homes occurred in the post-war period when the country underwent significant modernization. Before that, people relied on onsen and sentō for their bathing needs. Today, the yokushitsu is an essential feature in any Japanese home, combining functionality and cultural tradition.

Vocabulary

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Synonyms and similar words

• 風呂場 (furoba) - Location where bathing is taken, usually private.
• お風呂 (ofuro) - Bath; it also refers to the bathroom space, often associated with a more relaxing environment.
• 入浴室 (nyūyokushitsu) - Bathroom or room dedicated to bathing, more formal and part of establishments such as hotels.
• 入浴場 (nyūyokujō) - Area designated for bathing, often used to describe public places or aquatic recreation areas.
• 湯船 (yubune) - Basin or bathtub for soaking in hot water.
• 銭湯 (sentō) - Public bath, traditional in Japan. Payment for entry and access to common bathtubs.
• 温泉 (onsen) - Natural hot spring; it also refers to establishments that offer baths in thermal waters.
• 洗面所 (senmenjo) - Sink or area intended for hand washing and personal care, not including bathing.

浴室

Romaji: yokushitsu
Kana: よくしつ
Type: noun
L: jlpt-n1

Translation / Meaning: bathroom; bath

Meaning in English: bathroom;bath

Definition: Place to wash and remove dirt from the body.

Example Sentences - (浴室) yokushitsu

See below some example sentences:

私は毎日浴室でシャワーを浴びます。

Watashi wa mainichi yokushitsu de shawaa o abimasu

I take a shower every day in the bathroom.

I take a bath in the bathroom every day.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case, "I"
• 毎日 (mainichi) - adverb meaning "every day"
• 浴室 (yokushitsu) - noun meaning "bathroom"
• で (de) - particle that indicates the place where the action takes place, in this case, "in the bathroom"
• シャワー (shawa-) - noun meaning "shower"
• を (wo) - particle that indicates the direct object of the sentence, in this case, "shower"
• 浴びます (abimasu) - Verb that means "to take a shower"