The word "couchette" is spelled as /kuʃɛt/, with the first syllable being pronounced as "koo" and the second syllable being pronounced as "shet". This French word refers to a small sleeping compartment in a train, and has been adopted into English without significant modifications to its spelling or pronunciation. Despite its foreign origin, "couchette" is easy to decipher for English speakers who are familiar with the IPA transcription of words, which represents the sounds of a language using a standardized set of symbols.
A couchette refers to a type of sleeping accommodation typically found on trains. It is a small and compact berth or compartment that is specifically designed to provide overnight sleeping facilities to passengers during long train journeys. The term "couchette" originated from the French word "coucher", meaning "to sleep".
A typical couchette is a small cabin or compartment equipped with a series of bunk beds or sleeping berths, often arranged in groups of six or four. These berths usually consist of a basic mattress, pillow, and blanket, offering a comparatively economical and efficient mode of sleep for passengers who do not require the luxury or privacy of a private cabin. Couchettes are commonly used in overnight train travel, providing travelers the option to rest and sleep comfortably during lengthy journeys.
The couchettes on trains often feature basic amenities such as curtains or partitions for privacy, individual reading lights, and storage space for luggage. In some cases, there may also be communal areas like a changing room or washroom facilities located nearby for the convenience of passengers. Couchettes are especially popular on European trains, where long-distance travel by rail is prevalent. They offer a cost-effective alternative to sleeping accommodations, making train travel accessible to a wider range of passengers.
Overall, a couchette is a compact sleeping space found on trains, intended to provide an economical and practical overnight sleeping option for passengers undertaking long train journeys, offering a combination of comfort, convenience, and affordability.
The word "couchette" originates from the French language. It is derived from the verb "coucher", which means "to lie down" or "to sleep". In French, a "couchette" refers to a small sleeping berth or compartment on a train or ship. The term was later adopted into English to describe similar sleeping accommodations on transport vehicles.