1.
living room
The main room in a house where the family gathers for everyday activities.
WORD FORMATION:
居 (to be, to stay) + 間 (room, space). Literally "the room where one stays."
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 居間: living room (traditional Japanese term)
- リビング: living room (loanword, very common in modern speech)
- リビングルーム: living room (full loanword, less common)
- 茶の間: family sitting room (traditional, associated with tatami)
REGISTER:
居間 sounds slightly formal or literary compared to リビング. In real estate listings and modern conversation, リビング or LDK (living-dining-kitchen) is far more common.
NOTE:
In traditional Japanese houses, the 居間 was the central gathering room with tatami flooring. In modern usage, it simply means the main living area regardless of style.