Word
停留所
Meaning in Englishbus or tram stop
Animated kanji stroke order
Word context
What it means
What does 停留所 mean? It refers to a designated place where buses and other public transit vehicles stop to pick up and drop off passengers. It is used in maps, timetables, road signs, and formal language to label where people can board or alight.
Main meanings
- Primary sense: a designated stopping point for public transit vehicles such as buses and trams
- Usage nuance: commonly appears on maps, schedules, and official signage; more formal than casual speech
- Colloquial alternative: バス停 (basu-tei) is widely used in everyday conversation and on street signs
How to use it
Used in formal signage, maps, timetables, and travel guides; in casual speech, people often say バス停; the term is neutral and widely understood in both directions, from planning documents to spoken language.
Variants and close terms
- バス停 (basu-tei) — casual term for bus stop
- 停留場 teiryūjō — variant sometimes seen in older or formal contexts
- 路線停留所 rosen teiryūjo — route-specific stop
Composition
- 停 stop, halt
- 留 stay, remain
- 所 place, location
- Together they form a compound meaning a place where vehicles stop and passengers stay to board and alight
Origin
Modern Japan saw the emergence of standardized bus and tram networks, with 停留所 appearing in signage and route terms during the Meiji to Taisho periods as urban transit expanded and standardized terminology developed.
Word class
Noun (名詞)
Related words by kanji and components
N4
事務所
jimusho
office, agency
N4
場所
basho
place, location, spot
N4
留守
rusu
absence, not at home
N4
近所
kinjo
neighborhood, vicinity
N5
台所
daidokoro
kitchen
N5
洗面所
senmenjo
washroom, washbasin area
N5
住所
juusho
address
N5
所
tokoro
place, spot, point, moment
N5
留学生
ryuugakusei
international student, exchange student