1.
penalty area; penalty box (in soccer)
The rectangular area in front of each goal in soccer where fouls by the defending team can result in a penalty kick.
2.
parking area (small expressway rest stop)
Short for パーキングエリア: a small rest stop on an expressway with parking, toilets and vending machines; smaller than a service area (SA).
In soccer, PA stands for "penalty area", mostly in written match reports and on-screen graphics. On expressway signs and in travel talk, PA means パーキングエリア, a small rest stop; the larger kind with restaurants and fuel is SA (サービスエリア). The context always settles which is meant.
Common collocations
- PA内: inside the penalty area
- PA外: outside the penalty area
- 相手のPA: the opponent's penalty area
- PA付近: near the penalty area