駐 — Station, Reside, Park

Meaning

This section explores the kanji 駐! Pronounced primarily as チュウ (chuu) or とめる (tomeru), this character is a valuable addition to your JLPT N3 vocabulary. Essentially, 駐 means 'to station,' 'to reside (officially),' and 'to park or stop (a vehicle).' You'll frequently encounter this kanji in contexts related to transportation, international relations, and temporary lodging.

Its visual structure tells a story. The kanji 駐 is composed of two main parts: on the left, we have the radical 馬うま (horse), and on the right, the character 主ぬし (master, lord, owner). The 馬うま radical clearly suggests movement, vehicles, or even mounts, which immediately suggests travel or transportation.

The 主ぬし component is interesting; it serves as a phonetic element, hinting at the 'chuu' sound (though its common reading is 'shu'), and also provides a semantic clue. 主ぬし implies a sense of 'being the master of a place,' 'staying put,' or 'making something fixed.' Thus, combining a 'horse' or 'vehicle' (馬うま) with the idea of 'making it stay' or 'stationing it' (主ぬし) gives us the meanings of parking, stationing, or residing. Imagine a master parking his horse – making it stay in a specific spot. This concept extends to parking cars, stationing troops, or even diplomats.

This kanji has 15 strokes, making it a moderately complex character to write. It is not one of the Kyouiku Kanji (kanji taught in elementary school). However, it is generally considered an advanced kanji, often learned by those preparing for the JLPT N3 or higher.

Readings

On'yomi (音読み) — Chinese-derived readings

The primary On'yomi reading for 駐 is チュウ (chuu). This reading is primarily used when 駐 is part of a compound word. It usually combines with other kanji to form words related to stopping, stationing, or residing. You'll find it in many common vocabulary words, especially those related to vehicles and official postings.

駐車ちゅうしゃ (chuusha) — This is one of the most common compounds, meaning 'parking' (specifically of a vehicle). It combines 駐 (station, stop) with 車しゃ (car, vehicle).
駐在ちゅうざい (chuuzai) — Meaning 'residence' or 'being stationed.' This often refers to someone officially posted abroad, like a diplomat or a company expatriate. It combines 駐 (station) with 在ざい (exist, be).
駐留ちゅうりゅう (chuuryuu) — This term means 'stationing' or 'garrisoning,' typically used in the context of military forces. It combines 駐 (station) with 留りゅう (detain, stop).

Kun'yomi (訓読み) — Native Japanese readings

While less common than its On'yomi counterpart in general compounds, 駐 does have an important Kun'yomi reading: とめる (tomeru). This reading is used when the kanji forms part of a native Japanese verb, specifically 駐める, meaning 'to park' a vehicle.

It’s important to note that while 止める (tomeru) is the general verb for 'to stop' or 'to cease,' 駐める (tomeru) specifically implies parking a vehicle. This usually means parking in a designated or appropriate spot. Although sometimes considered an irregular or specialized reading, it's widely recognized and used in daily language when talking about cars, bicycles, or other vehicles.

車くるまを駐とめる (kuruma o tomeru) — This phrase means 'to park a car.' It's a direct and common application of the Kun'yomi.
ここに駐とめてもいいですか (koko ni tomete mo ii desu ka) — A practical question meaning 'Can I park here?' This demonstrates the verb in a conversational context.

Common Words & Compounds

The kanji 駐 is a key kanji for discussing where things (especially vehicles or people) are stationed or stopped. Here are some essential compound words, grouped by theme, to expand your vocabulary:

Parking & Transportation

駐車ちゅうしゃ (chuusha) — This is the standard term for 'parking' a vehicle. It's an indispensable word when you're driving or looking for a place to leave your car.
駐車場ちゅうしゃじょう (chuushajou) — 'Parking lot' or 'parking garage.' The 場じょう here means 'place.' You'll see this sign everywhere in Japan!
駐輪場ちゅうりんじょう (chuurinjou) — 'Bicycle parking lot.' Combining 駐 (station) with 輪りん (wheel, circle, referring to bicycles) and 場じょう (place). Very common near train stations.
駐車禁止ちゅうしゃきんし (chuusha kinshi) — 'No parking.' A vital sign to look out for. 禁止きんし means 'prohibition.'
駐機ちゅうき (chuuki) — 'Parking an aircraft' or 'grounding an aircraft.' Often heard in airport contexts, combining 駐 (station) with 機き (machine, aircraft).

Residence & Stationing

駐在ちゅうざい (chuuzai) — 'Residence,' 'stationing,' or 'being stationed.' This refers to a person living or working in a foreign country or a different city for an extended period due to their job, such as a diplomat or a company employee.
駐在員ちゅうざいいん (chuuzaiin) — 'Resident staff' or 'expatriate.' This compound adds 員いん (member, staff) to refer to the person who is stationed.
駐留ちゅうりゅう (chuuryuu) — 'Stationing' or 'garrisoning.' This term is predominantly used for military forces or personnel stationed in a particular location, often overseas.
常駐じょうちゅう (jouchuu) — 'Permanent stationing' or 'resident.' The 常じょう means 'always,' so it implies a permanent presence, such as a resident engineer or a permanent representative.
駐日ちゅうにち (chuunichi) — 'Stationed in Japan.' This is often used to describe foreign diplomats or organizations, as in 駐日大使ちゅうにちたいし (Ambassador to Japan).
駐屯地ちゅうとんち (chuutonchi) — 'Military base' or 'garrison.' 屯とん means 'encampment' and 地ち means 'place.'

Example Sentences

駅えきの前まえは駐車禁止ちゅうしゃきんしです。

Eki no mae wa chuusha kinshi desu.

Parking in front of the station is prohibited.

車くるまを駐車場ちゅうしゃじょうに駐とめてください。

Kuruma o chuushajou ni tomete kudasai.

Please park your car in the parking lot.

彼かれは現在げんざい、ロンドンに駐在ちゅうざいしています。

Kare wa genzai, Rondon ni chuuzai shiteimasu.

He is currently stationed in London.

大使館たいしかんの前まえに車くるまを駐とめることはできません。

Taishikan no mae ni kuruma o tomeru koto wa dekimasen.

You cannot park your car in front of the embassy.

日本にほんに駐留ちゅうりゅうする米軍べいぐんの数かずが減へりました

Nihon ni chuuryuu suru Beigun no kazu ga herimashita.

The number of U.S. troops stationed in Japan has decreased.

この地域ちいきでは、自転車じてんしゃの駐輪場ちゅうりんじょうが不足ふそくしています。

Kono chiiki de wa, jitensha no chuurinjou ga fusoku shiteimasu.

There is a shortage of bicycle parking lots in this area.

海外かいがい駐在員ちゅうざいいんとして、彼かれは異文化いぶんかに適応てきおうする必要ひつようがありました。

Kaigai chuuzaiin to shite, kare wa ibunka ni tekiousuru hitsuyou ga arimashita.

As an expatriate, he needed to adapt to a different culture.

航空機こうくうきは滑走路かっそうろから駐機ちゅうきエリアに移動いどうしました。

Koukuuki wa kassouro kara chuuki eria ni idou shimashita.

The aircraft moved from the runway to the parking area.

重要じゅうような機器ききの管理かんりのため、担当者たんとうしゃが現地げんちに常駐じょうちゅうしています。

Juuyou na kiki no kanri no tame, tantousha ga genchi ni jouchuu shiteimasu.

A person in charge is permanently stationed on-site for the management of important equipment.

彼かれは日本にほんに駐在ちゅうざいする某国ぼうこくの外交官がいこうかんです。

Kare wa Nihon ni chuuzai suru boukoku no gaikoukan desu.

He is a diplomat from a certain country stationed in Japan.

Memory Tip

Here's a memory tip for 駐! To help remember 駐, consider its components: 馬うま (horse, representing a vehicle) and 主ぬし (master). Imagine a master (主ぬし) who has an obedient horse (馬うま). This master commands the horse to "stay" or "park" right here, and the horse immediately obeys, staying perfectly stationed. You can visualize the master pulling on the reins of the horse, making it come to a complete stop and stay in one spot. The 'master' component gives the idea of commanding or making something fixed, and the 'horse' component provides the context of transportation. So, a 'master making a horse/vehicle stay' leads directly to 'stationing' or 'parking.' This image can help you remember the kanji's core meanings and readings whenever you see it!