Meaning and Usage
The word 回覧 (かいらん) refers to the act of circulating documents, notices, or materials among a group of people, typically in a workplace, school, or community setting. It implies passing something around so that everyone can read or check it.
Common Contexts
回覧 is often used for official or semi-official documents like announcements, meeting minutes, or policy updates. It is common in offices, apartment buildings, and schools.
Collocations and Patterns
- 回覧板 (かいらんばん): a physical bulletin or circular board used for passing notices.
- 回覧資料 (かいらんしりょう): circulated materials or documents.
- 回覧を回す: to circulate or pass around the documents.
Register and Politeness
回覧 is a neutral, formal word suitable for business and official contexts. It is not casual and is rarely used in informal conversation.
Learner Tips
A common confusion is mixing 回覧 with 配布 (distribution). 回覧 implies sequential sharing among a limited group, while 配布 means handing out copies to many people simultaneously. Remember, 回覧 involves passing the same item around, not giving out separate copies.