楼ろう

noun, noun, used as a suffix

tower; tall building; belvedere

Often used as a suffix in building names, e.g., 展望楼 (observation tower). Can refer to any tall, multi-storied structure.

• 城しろの楼ろうから町まちを見み下おろした。

  I looked down at the town from the castle tower.

• このホテルには展てん望ぼう楼ろうがある。

  This hotel has an observation tower.

noun, noun, used as a suffix

turret; lookout; watchtower

Specifically a tower used for observation or defense, such as a castle turret or a watchtower.

• 火ひの見み楼ろうから火か事じを知しらせる鐘かねが鳴なった。

  The fire lookout tower bell rang to alert of a fire.

noun, noun, used as a suffix

brothel

Archaic euphemism for a brothel, derived from the multi-storied structure of such establishments in the Edo period.

• 江え戸ど時じ代だい、吉よし原わらには多おおくの楼ろうが立たち並ならんでいた。

  In the Edo period, many brothels lined the streets of Yoshiwara.