会議室

In many offices and schools you will see this sign hanging around above doorways or on nameplates stuck to or beside doors. If you work or go to school in Japan, this a room you will find yourself going to a lot. Let's see why.

会議室 (かいぎしつ) - meeting room, conference room

This 漢字-->会 means to meet, join, party and can also be pronounced あ in the verb 会う which is to see, meet with friends, family or acquaintances as in:

彼女を会いました。(かのじょをあいました。) - I met my girlfriend.

When read as かい the 漢字--> 会 represents more words related to business or work. Such as:

会社 (かいしゃ) - Company, Corporation

社会 (しゃかい) - Society, Community, World

教会 (きょうかい) - Church, Congregation meeting

部会 (ぶかい) - Section meeting

So just like a lot of businesses around the world, Japan especially loves to have meetings. It's a common belief that, "if you're not having meetings, you're not working."

This isn't my belief. Some 会議 are necessary, but too many can be a hinderance to doing the work or when they are scheduled during the weekend when people need time to relax and 会う with their friends.

Well, actually 僕は会議に行きます。じゃ、またね。

ジョシュア