1.
seating order; seating arrangement by rank
The order in which people are seated, typically determined by rank, seniority, or social status.
席次を決める。
To determine the seating order.
会議の席次は役職の順に並べた。
The seating at the meeting was arranged in order of position.
結婚式の披露宴では、席次表を見て自分の席を探す。
At a wedding reception, you look at the seating chart to find your seat.
2.
class ranking; academic standing
A student's ranking position within their class based on academic performance.
席次が上がった。
My class ranking went up.
期末試験の席次が発表された。
The class rankings for the final exams were announced.
彼女は学年で席次一位を取り、卒業式で答辞を読んだ。
She ranked first in her year and read the valedictory speech at graduation.
A compound of 席 (seat) and 次 (order/sequence). The word reflects the importance of hierarchical seating arrangements in Japanese culture, where where one sits at a meeting, banquet, or ceremony signals one's status.
In business settings, seating follows strict protocols: the most senior person typically sits in the 上座 (seat of honor, farthest from the door), while junior members take the 下座 (lower seat, nearest the door).
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 席次表: seating chart
- 席次を決める: to determine the seating order
- 席次が上がる: for one's ranking to rise
- 席次一位: first place in class rankings
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 席順: seating order (more casual, less focused on rank)
- 順位: ranking (more general, used beyond seating contexts)