Translation and Meaning of: 住宅 - jyuutaku

If you are studying Japanese or are curious about the language, you may have come across the word 住宅[じゅうたく]. It is common in daily Japanese life and appears in contexts ranging from informal conversations to official documents. In this article, we will explore its meaning, origin, and how it is used in practice. Additionally, we will see tips for memorizing it and interesting facts that make this word even more fascinating.

Housing [じゅうたく] is a term that carries important cultural and linguistic aspects. If you want to better understand how the Japanese refer to residences or how this word fits into everyday vocabulary, keep reading. Here at Suki Nihongo, we aim to provide accurate and useful information for those who wish to learn Japanese effectively.

Meaning and translation of 住宅: "residential house" or "dwelling".

The word 住宅[じゅうたく] can be translated as "residence" or "housing." It refers to a place where people live, whether it's a house, an apartment, or any other type of dwelling. Unlike more specific like 家[いえ] (house in the sense of home) or マンション (apartment), 住宅 has a broader and more formal meaning.

In official documents, real estate listings, and discussions about public policies, 住宅 is often used to refer to issues related to housing. For example, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism of Japan (MLIT) has a department called 住宅局[じゅうたくきょく], which takes care of matters related to residences.

Origin and composition of kanjis

The word 住宅 is composed of two kanji: 住 (juu, to live) and 宅 (taku, residence). Together, they reinforce the idea of a place where one lives. The kanji 住 appears in other words such as 住む[すむ] (to live, to reside) and 住所[じゅうしょ] (address). On the other hand, 宅 is found in like 自宅[じたく] (own home) and 宅配[たくはい] (home delivery).

It is interesting to note that, although 住宅 is a word of Chinese origin (like most composed of kanjis), its use in modern Japanese is fully incorporated into everyday vocabulary. Unlike some more technical or literary words, 住宅 is easily understood by any native speaker, regardless of age or region.

How to use 住宅 in everyday life

"Residential" appears in various contexts, from everyday conversations to news and formal texts. If you are looking for a place to live in Japan, you will find listings using such as 住宅ローン (housing loan) or 住宅地 (residential area). In discussions about quality of life, expressions like 住宅問題 (housing problems) are also common.

One tip for memorizing this word is to associate it with practical situations. For example, when seeing a residential neighborhood, think: "ここは住宅が多いですね" (There are many residences here, aren't there?). This type of association helps to fix vocabulary in a natural way. Another strategy is to create flashcards with sentences like "新しい住宅を探しています" (I am looking for a new house) to practice using it in real contexts.

Curiosities about 住宅 in Japan

In Japan, the concept of 住宅 goes beyond mere housing. Due to the limited space in large cities like Tokyo and Osaka, Japanese residential architecture often prioritizes efficiency and functionality. This has led to innovative designs, such as the famous "narrow houses" (狭小住宅[きょうしょうじゅうたく]), which maximize the use of small plots of land.

Another interesting aspect is that, historically, housing patterns in Japan reflect social changes. After World War II, for example, there was a significant effort to build affordable housing, resulting in the so-called 団地[だんち] (housing complexes). Today, with the aging population, we see an increased interest in バリアフリー住宅 (barrier-free housing).

Vocabulary

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Synonyms and similar words

• 住居 (juukyo) - Residence; the place where a person lives.
• 住所 (juusho) - Address; the formal location of a residence.
• 家屋 (kaoku) - Residential structures; refers to buildings intended for housing.
• 住宅施設 (juutaku shisetsu) - Residential installations; structure or service that s housing.
• 住宅建築 (juutaku kenchiku) - Residential construction; the act of building houses.
• 住宅地 (juutaku chi) - Residential area; a region predominantly composed of residences.
• 住宅用地 (juutaku youchi) - Residential land; land intended for the construction of housing.
• 住宅地域 (juutaku chiiki) - Residential area; a designated area for housing.
• 住宅街 (juutaku gai) - Residential neighborhood; an area with many houses or apartments.
• 住宅団地 (juutaku danchi) - Housing complex; a complex with several residential units.
• 住宅地区 (juutaku chiku) - Residential district; a part of a city designated for housing.
• 住宅地帯 (juutaku chitai) - Residential area; a large cohesive living space.
• 住宅区 (juutaku ku) - Residential unit; a subset within a residential area.
• 住宅棟 (juutaku tou) - Residential building; an individual structure intended for housing.
• 住宅街区 (juutaku gaiku) - Residential block; a specific section within a neighborhood of houses.
• 住宅建設 (juutaku kensetsu) - Construction of residences; process of building new homes.
• 住宅開発 (juutaku kaihatsu) - Residential development; the practice of planning new housing areas.
• 住宅供給 (juutaku kyoukyuu) - Provision of housing; supply of new residences in the market.
• 住宅需要 (juutaku juyou) - Demand for housing; the amount of housing that people want.
• 住宅政策 (juutaku seisaku) - Housing policy; regulations and guidelines on housing.