1.
multi-story parking garage, parking structure
A building designed for parking vehicles on multiple levels, either with ramps for self-parking or mechanical systems that move cars automatically.
立体駐車場に車を停めた。
I parked my car in the multi-story parking garage.
立体駐車場は満車だった。
The parking garage was full.
この立体駐車場は機械式なので操作が必要だ。
This parking garage is mechanical, so operation is required.
Compound of 立体 (three-dimensional, multi-level) + 駐車場 (parking lot). Refers to any parking structure with multiple levels.
TYPES:
- 自走式: self-parking type (drive up ramps yourself)
- 機械式: mechanical type (cars moved by machinery — common in urban Japan)
- タワー式: tower type (vertical stacking)
COMMON PATTERNS:
- 立体駐車場に停める: to park in a multi-story garage
- 機械式の操作: operating the mechanical system
CONTRAST:
- 駐車場: parking lot (general term)
- 地下駐車場: underground parking
- 平面駐車場: surface-level parking lot
- コインパーキング: coin-operated parking lot