1.
staff room; teachers' room
The room in a school where teachers have their desks and work between classes.
先生は職員室にいます。
The teacher is in the staff room.
職員室に呼ばれた。
I was called to the staff room.
Often implies being in trouble
職員室の前で待っていてください。
Please wait in front of the staff room.
先生は職員室にいますよ。
The teacher is in the staff room.
職員室の前で先生を待っていた。
I was waiting for the teacher in front of the staff room.
職員室 is the shared room in a Japanese school where all teachers have their desks and do their work between classes. Unlike many Western schools, Japanese teachers typically do not have individual offices.
ETYMOLOGY:
職員 (staff) + 室 (room).
COMMON PATTERNS:
- 職員室にいる: to be in the staff room
- 職員室に呼ばれる: to be called to the staff room (often implies being in trouble)
- 職員室の前で待つ: to wait in front of the staff room
CULTURE:
Students who need to speak with a teacher typically go to the 職員室 and knock before entering. Being "called to the staff room" (職員室に呼ばれる) often implies a reprimand.
RELATED SCHOOL ROOMS:
- 保健室: nurse's office/infirmary
- 図書室: library room
- 校長室: principal's office