The Meaning of teiryūjo [停留所] In Japanese

停留所
ていりゅうじょ
Romaji: teiryūjo N5

What does 停留所 mean?

Translation and Meaning

bus stop, stopping place

Definition

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.

Type

Noun (名詞)

Stroke Order

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

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.

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

Usage

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.
💡 Tips
Mnemonic: STOP + STAY + PLACE — 停留所 literally encodes a place where a vehicle stops and stays for passengers to board.

Variations

  • 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

Example Phrases

  • 近くの停留所で友達を待ちながらバスを待つ。
    Chikaku no teiryūjo de tomodachi o machinagara basu o matsu.
    I’m waiting for a friend at a nearby bus stop while waiting for the bus.
    Lista:
    • 近くの (chikaku no) – nearby
    • 停留所で (teiryūjo de) – at the bus stop
    • 友達を (tomodachi o) – a friend
    • 待ちながら (machinagara) – while waiting
    • バスを (basu o) – the bus
    • 待つ (matsu) – wait
    The word 「停留所」 means bus stop and is used with で to indicate location.
停留所