職員室(しょくいんしつ)

職員室(しょくいんしつ) 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(しょくいん) (staff) + 室(しつ) (room).

Common patterns

• 職員室(しょくいんしつ)にいる: to be in the staff room
• 職員室(しょくいんしつ)に呼(よ)ばれる: to be called to the staff room (often implies being in trouble)
• 職員室(しょくいんしつ)の前(まえ)で待(ま)つ: to wait in front of the staff room

Cultural note

Students who need to speak with a teacher typically go to the 職員室(しょくいんしつ) and knock before entering. Being "called to the staff room" (職員室(しょくいんしつ)に呼(よ)ばれる) often implies a reprimand.

Related words

• 保健室(ほけんしつ): nurse's office/infirmary
• 図書室(としょしつ): library room
• 校長室(こうちょうしつ): principal's office