茶ちゃの間ま

ちゃ

の

ま

Common wordJLPTN1Freq.FrequencyTop 50,000

Meanings

Refers to a traditional Japanese-style living room where the family gathers, often with a low table and tatami flooring. In modern usage, it can also refer to a casual family room in any style of home.

家か族ぞくは夕ゆう食しょく後ご、茶ちゃの間までテレビを見みた。
After dinner, the family watched TV in the living room.
祖そ母ぼはいつも茶ちゃの間までお茶ちゃを飲のんでいる。
Grandmother is always drinking tea in the family room.

See all 10 example sentences ›

Usage patterns

茶ちゃの間まで〈動どう詞し〉to do something in the living/family room
家か族ぞくは茶ちゃの間までテレビを見みながらくつろいでいた。
The family was relaxing in the family room, watching TV.
茶ちゃの間まに集あつまるto gather in the family room
正しょう月がつには親しん戚せき一いち同どうが茶ちゃの間まに集あつまった。
At New Year's, all the relatives gathered in the family room.

Kanji

茶tea
間interval, space

Related words

居い間まN3
居間 is a neutral, general word for a living room in any style of house, while 茶の間 specifically evokes a traditional Japanese-style family room where meals and tea are shared.
リビングN3
リビング is a modern loanword for a Western-style living room with sofas and a TV, whereas 茶の間 carries a nostalgic, traditional Japanese nuance.

Don't confuse with

茶ちゃ室しつ
茶の間 is an ordinary family living/dining room, not the formal ceremonial space that 茶室 refers to.

Word family

お茶ちゃの間ま
living room; family room

Built from

茶ちゃ+間ま

Written forms

茶ちゃの間まUsage99%
Standard kanji spelling; the word is commonly written this way.
チャノマUsage1%

Etymology

Compound of 茶 (cha, 'tea') and 間 (ma, 'room'), literally 'tea room'. Historically, it referred to a room where the family would gather to drink tea and relax.