1.
shared room; room shared with another person
A room that is shared between two or more people who are not traveling together. Common in hostels, ryokan, hospitals, and dormitories.
今回の宿は相部屋だった。
The accommodation this time was a shared room.
相部屋でもいいなら、もっと安く泊まれますよ。
If a shared room is okay, you can stay for less.
出張で相部屋になったのがきっかけで、同僚と仲よくなった。
Sharing a room on a business trip was what led me to become friends with my colleague.
USAGE:
A compound of 相 (mutual, shared) + 部屋 (room). Refers specifically to sharing a room with someone you wouldn't normally room with — not a married couple sharing a hotel room. Common in budget travel, hospital stays, and company dormitories.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 相部屋になる (to end up sharing a room)
- 相部屋プラン (shared room plan)
- 相部屋でもいい (a shared room is fine)
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 個室: private room — the opposite, a room for one person or group
- ドミトリー: dormitory-style room — often in hostels, shared with multiple strangers