Meaning and Usage
"定員" (ていいん) refers to the fixed number of people allowed in a place or for a service, such as the capacity of a bus, classroom, or boat. It is commonly used in everyday situations where limits on the number of participants or passengers are important.
Common Contexts
You will often hear "定員" when discussing transportation (buses, trains, taxis), events, classes, or any situation where there is a maximum allowed number of people.
Collocations and Patterns
- 定員オーバー: over capacity, used when the number of people exceeds the limit.
- 定員に達する: to reach full capacity.
- 定員制: a system with a fixed number of participants.
Register and Nuance
"定員" is a neutral, formal word suitable for both spoken and written Japanese. It is often seen in announcements, signs, and official communications.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes confuse "定員" with "人数" (にんずう), which simply means "number of people" without implying a limit. Remember, "定員" always implies a fixed maximum number.