Translation guide
The English verb "accommodate" has several distinct meanings. This guide breaks them down into practical uses and shows how to express each naturally in Japanese.
To give someone a place to stay or to have enough room for people or things.
Used specifically for providing overnight lodging to someone. A transitive verb.
I accommodated my friend for one night.
Means to accommodate or hold a certain number of people, often used for facilities like hotels, halls, or shelters. More formal.
This hotel can accommodate 500 guests.
Literally "to provide a room." A clear and polite way to say you are offering accommodation.
We provided rooms for the disaster victims.
Intransitive verb meaning "to stay overnight." Use this from the perspective of the person being accommodated, not the host.
This is intransitive; do not use it to mean "I accommodated someone."
I stayed at my friend's house.
To change something to suit someone's needs or to make allowances for someone.
Broadly means "to deal with" or "to respond to" needs or requests. Very common in business and daily life.
We will accommodate our customers' requests.
Means "to adjust" or "to conform" to someone or something. Often used when changing plans or behavior to suit others.
An idiomatic phrase meaning "to be flexible" or "to make an exception." Used when bending rules or adjusting to accommodate someone.
Means "to take into consideration." Used when accommodating someone's circumstances or special needs.
To have enough space for a certain number of people or things.
The standard word for capacity of a venue, vehicle, or container. Used in formal and technical contexts.
This venue can accommodate 1000 people.
Intransitive verb meaning "to fit" or "to go in." Very common in casual speech for capacity.
Transitive verb meaning "to put in" or "to fit something into." Used when you are the one accommodating items.
To make two different ideas, facts, or needs exist together without conflict.
Means "to make both things compatible" or "to achieve both at the same time." Often used for work-life balance or conflicting demands.
It's difficult to accommodate both work and family.
An idiomatic phrase meaning "to reach a compromise" or "to find a middle ground." Used when accommodating conflicting opinions.
Means "to adjust" or "to coordinate." Used when accommodating schedules or requirements.
There is no single Japanese verb that covers all meanings of "accommodate." Always choose the expression based on the specific meaning you intend.
泊める (とめる) is transitive and means "to give lodging to someone." 泊まる (とまる) is intransitive and means "to stay overnight." Do not confuse them.
彼のスケジュールに合わせて会議を設定した。
We set up the meeting to accommodate his schedule.
Could you be a little more accommodating?
We accommodated the special circumstances and extended the deadline.
Can this box accommodate everything?
Can this bag accommodate a laptop?
We need to accommodate both opinions.
We accommodated everyone's schedules and held a meeting.