旅舍 (lǚ shè) is a compound noun meaning 'inn' or 'guesthouse' — a modest, often family-run accommodation for travelers. The first character 旅 (lǚ) means 'travel' or 'journey', and the second character 舍 (shè) means 'residence', 'dwelling', or 'lodging'. Together, they literally convey 'a dwelling for travelers', emphasizing temporary, simple shelter rather than luxury. Historically, 旅舍 referred to roadside inns along ancient trade routes; today it’s used mainly in formal writing, travel guides, or poetic contexts.

In modern spoken Mandarin, 旅舍 is less common than terms like 宾馆 (bīnguǎn, 'hotel') or 民宿 (mínsù, 'homestay'), but it retains a warm, rustic, or literary nuance. It suggests affordability, intimacy, and local charm — think of a quiet mountain guesthouse or a coastal village inn. You’ll see it on signs in scenic rural areas, in travel blogs, or in literature describing journeys. It’s not used for large commercial hotels or business accommodations.