仲居
な
か
い
Meanings
1
waitress (in a ryokan or traditional restaurant); hostess
Refers specifically to a female attendant who serves guests in a traditional Japanese inn (ryokan) or high-end Japanese restaurant, often wearing a kimono and providing attentive service.
The ryokan waitress brought the meal to our room.
The job of a nakai is to ensure guests have a pleasant stay.
Usage patterns
- 〈人〉が仲居として働くto work as a nakai (ryokan waitress)
She works as a nakai at a hot spring inn.
- 仲居を呼ぶto call for the nakai (waitress)
I called the nakai to get some tea.
- 仲居が〈物〉を運ぶthe nakai brings/serves something (food, drinks, etc.)
The nakai brought the food to our room.