Translation guide
The English word "atrium" refers to two main concepts: a central open courtyard in a building (often with a glass roof) and a chamber of the heart. This guide covers both meanings, with Japanese equivalents for architectural and anatomical contexts.
A large open space inside a building, often with a glass roof, used as a central hall or courtyard.
The most common and direct loanword for an architectural atrium in modern Japanese. Used for large, open interior spaces in hotels, office buildings, shopping malls, etc.
There is a large fountain in the hotel's atrium.
The atrium of this building has a high ceiling and feels very open.
Refers to an open vertical space that connects multiple floors, often without a roof or with a skylight. It emphasizes the vertical openness rather than the function as a gathering space. Commonly used in residential and commercial architecture.
The living room has an open atrium that lets light reach the second floor.
The atrium in this house is very impressive.
Literally 'inner garden' or 'courtyard'. Traditionally refers to an open-air courtyard in Japanese architecture, but can be used for a covered atrium in modern contexts, especially if it resembles a garden space. Less specific than アトリウム.
We enjoyed tea in the glass-roofed atrium.
One of the two upper chambers of the heart that receive blood.
アトリウム is a direct loanword and typically implies a grand, often public space with a glass roof, like in a hotel or shopping mall. 吹き抜け focuses on the vertical openness and is common in residential architecture, where it may not have a glass roof but simply connects floors. Use アトリウム for modern commercial atriums and 吹き抜け for open stairwells or light wells in homes.
The atrium of this shopping mall is very spacious.
Thanks to the atrium, the house is bright inside.
Atrial fibrillation is a type of arrhythmia.
右心房は全身から戻ってきた血液を受け取ります。
The right atrium receives blood returning from the body.
左心房は肺から酸素を多く含んだ血液を受け取ります。
The left atrium receives oxygen-rich blood from the lungs.