Translation guide
In Japanese, expressing 'changing residence' depends on the formality and the nature of the move. The most common and neutral term is 引っ越し (hikkoshi), used for moving house. For more formal or official contexts, such as changing one's registered domicile, 転居 (tenkyo) is used. When moving to a new city or region, 転出 (tenshutsu) and 転入 (tennyū) are used for moving out of and into a municipality, respectively. These terms are often used in administrative procedures.
To express the act of moving from one residence to another, typically within the same city or to a new area, in everyday conversation.
The most common and neutral word for moving house. Can be used as a noun or with する to form a verb (引っ越しする).
I'm moving next month.
I'm busy preparing for the move.
The verb form of 引っ越し. Used to say 'to move (house)'.
I plan to move to Osaka.
To express changing residence in formal, written, or official contexts, such as notifying authorities or filling out documents.
Formal term for changing residence. Often used in official notifications, such as 転居届 (change of address notification).
Please submit a change of address notification.
I have decided on my new address.
Verb form of 転居. Used in formal contexts.
I will be moving to Tokyo next month. (formal)
To express moving out of a city, ward, or town, often for administrative procedures like resident registration.
To express moving into a new city, ward, or town, for resident registration.
To express moving in a broader sense, including offices or businesses, or when the move is a major relocation.
Refers to moving or relocation, often used for offices, shops, or large-scale moves. Can also be used for residences in formal contexts.
We are relocating our head office to Tokyo.
Notice of relocation
引っ越し is the everyday word for moving house. 転居 is more formal and often used in written notifications. 転出 and 転入 are specifically used for administrative procedures when moving across municipal boundaries. Use 転出 when leaving a municipality and 転入 when entering a new one.
In casual conversation, 引っ越し is the go-to word. You can say 引っ越しする or simply 引っ越す. To ask someone if they are moving, you can say 引っ越しするの？