1.
waitress at a traditional Japanese inn or restaurant
A woman who serves food and attends to guests at a ryokan (traditional inn) or traditional Japanese-style restaurant. The role involves not just serving meals but also providing hospitality and attending to guests' comfort.
The polite form of 仲居, always used with さん in everyday speech. Refers specifically to female attendants at traditional Japanese inns (旅館) and high-end Japanese restaurants (料亭). The role goes beyond food service — 仲居さん welcome guests, serve meals course by course, lay out futons, and ensure overall comfort. They traditionally wear kimono.
Common collocations
- 旅館の仲居さん: ryokan waitress
- 仲居さんとして働く: to work as a nakai-san
- 仲居さんが布団を敷く: the waitress lays out the futons
Cultural note
The 仲居さん is an iconic figure of Japanese hospitality culture. At a 旅館, the 仲居さん assigned to your room is often your primary point of contact throughout your stay.