優先席(ゆうせんせき)

ゆうせんせき
noun
priority seat
1. priority seat, courtesy seat
Designated seats on trains and buses for elderly, pregnant, disabled, or injured passengers.
優先席(ゆうせんせき)はお年寄(としよ)りや妊婦(にんぷ)のためにある。
Priority seats are for elderly and pregnant passengers.
優先席(ゆうせんせき)付近(ふきん)では携帯電話(けいたいでんわ)の電源(でんげん)をお切(き)りください。
Please turn off your mobile phone near the priority seats.
優先席(ゆうせんせき)に座(すわ)っていたら、お年寄(としよ)りが来(き)たので席(せき)を譲(ゆず)った。
I was sitting in the priority seat, but an elderly person came so I gave up my seat.

USAGE: 優先席(ゆうせんせき) are found on most trains, buses, and subways in Japan. While anyone may sit there when empty, passengers are expected to give up the seat to those who need it.

WHO SHOULD USE:

  • 高齢者(こうれいしゃ)/お年寄(としよ)り (elderly)
  • 妊婦(にんぷ) (pregnant women)
  • 障害者(しょうがいしゃ) (people with disabilities)
  • 怪我人(けがにん) (injured people)
  • 乳幼児(にゅうようじ)を連(つ)れた方(かた) (people with small children)

MOBILE PHONE ETIQUETTE: Signs often request that phones be set to silent mode or turned off near 優先席(ゆうせんせき) due to concerns about pacemaker interference, though this rule has been relaxed in many areas.

SIMILAR TERMS:

  • シルバーシート (silver seat - older term for priority seat)
general
Added 2026.1.17 13:49 · Revised 2026.1.19 21:17
06000/06202_yuusenseki