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.
友達を一晩泊めた。
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.
このホテルは500人の客を収容できる。
This hotel can accommodate 500 guests.
Literally "to provide a room." A clear and polite way to say you are offering accommodation.
被災者に部屋を提供した。
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."
友達の家に泊まった。
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.
お客様の要望に対応します。
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.
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.
An idiomatic phrase meaning "to be flexible" or "to make an exception." Used when bending rules or adjusting to accommodate someone.
もう少し融通を利かせてもらえませんか。
Could you be a little more accommodating?
Means "to take into consideration." Used when accommodating someone's circumstances or special needs.
特別な事情を考慮して、締め切りを延ばした。
We accommodated the special circumstances and extended the deadline.
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.
この会場は1000人を収容できます。
This venue can accommodate 1000 people.
Intransitive verb meaning "to fit" or "to go in." Very common in casual speech for capacity.
この箱に全部入る？
Can this box accommodate everything?
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.
仕事と家庭を両立させるのは難しい。
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.
両者の意見に折り合いをつける必要がある。
We need to accommodate both opinions.
Means "to adjust" or "to coordinate." Used when accommodating schedules or requirements.
みんなの都合を調整して会議を開いた。
We accommodated everyone's schedules and held a meeting.
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.
Can this bag accommodate a laptop?