Translation guide
The English word 'building' refers to a structure with walls and a roof. In Japanese, the most common equivalent is 建物 (たてもの), but other words like ビル (for modern multi-story buildings) or 建築 (referring to architecture or the act of building) are used depending on context.
A physical structure with walls and a roof, such as a house, school, or office.
The most general and neutral word for a building of any kind. Safe to use in almost all situations.
あの建物は何ですか。
What is that building?
この建物は古いです。
This building is old.
Short for ビルディング. Refers specifically to modern, multi-story buildings, especially in cities. Often used for office buildings, department stores, etc.
駅の前に高いビルがあります。
There is a tall building in front of the station.
あのビルはオフィスビルです。
That building is an office building.
A more formal or technical term for a building or structure, often used in legal or architectural contexts.
この建築物は国の重要文化財に指定されています。
This building is designated as an important cultural property of the country.
The activity or business of making buildings.
Refers to architecture or the act of constructing a building. Can also mean 'building' as a noun in some contexts, but primarily used for the process.
彼は建築の仕事をしています。
He works in the building (construction) industry.
この建物の建築には2年かかりました。
The building (construction) of this structure took two years.
Focuses on the construction or building of large-scale structures like bridges, roads, or buildings. Often used in compound words like 建設会社 (construction company).
Referring to a specific named building or type of building.
A suffix often used in names of buildings that serve a specific purpose, like 図書館 (library), 美術館 (art museum), 体育館 (gymnasium). It implies a hall or large building.
この図書館はとても静かです。
This library building is very quiet.
A suffix for shops or small commercial buildings, like 本屋 (bookstore), パン屋 (bakery). Not used for large buildings.
あのパン屋の建物は小さいです。
The building of that bakery is small.
建物 (たてもの) is the general term for any building. ビル specifically refers to modern, multi-story buildings, often made of concrete or steel. A traditional Japanese house is 建物 but not ビル.
この建物は古い日本家屋です。
This building is an old Japanese-style house.
あのビルは30階建てです。
That building is 30 stories tall.
The full word ビルディング is rarely used in natural Japanese. Stick to ビル for modern buildings.
その建物はとても高いです。
The building is very tall.
私はあのビルで働いています。
I work in that building.
新しい橋の建設が始まりました。
The building (construction) of the new bridge has started.