1.
seating order; seating arrangement by rank
The order in which people are seated, typically determined by rank, seniority, or social status.
2.
class ranking; academic standing
A student's ranking position within their class based on academic performance.
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