Translation guide
A house in poor condition, often due to age or neglect. Japanese has several words for such houses, ranging from abandoned ruins to shabby but still inhabited dwellings.
shabby but lived-in house
For a run-down but occupied house.
Describing a house that is no longer lived in and has fallen into disrepair, often with structural damage.
An abandoned house, often dilapidated. Commonly used for empty, decaying buildings.
You shouldn't go near that dilapidated house.
Ruins; can refer to a dilapidated house or larger abandoned structure. Often implies a more dramatic state of decay.
Vacant house; not necessarily dilapidated, but often implies neglect if left empty for long. Can be used for houses that are becoming dilapidated.
Describing a house that is still lived in but looks worn, run-down, or poorly maintained.
A shabby, dilapidated house, often still inhabited. Conveys a sense of poverty or neglect.
He lives alone in a dilapidated house.
A run-down, shabby house. 'Boro' means worn-out or tattered. Casual term.
An old-looking house, not necessarily dilapidated but showing age. More neutral than 'abara-ya'.
When referring to a run-down apartment or multi-unit building rather than a standalone house.
A shabby, dilapidated apartment building. 'Boro' + 'apaato' (apartment). Very common in casual speech.
During my student days, I lived in a dilapidated apartment.
Aged/deteriorated building; formal term often used in official contexts. Can refer to houses or apartments.
廃屋 (haioku) is an abandoned, uninhabited house, often in ruins. あばら家 (abaraya) is a shabby house that may still be lived in. Use 廃屋 for empty, decaying buildings and あばら家 for occupied but run-down homes.
The dilapidated house is dangerous, so entry is prohibited.
It's a dilapidated house, but there's no place like home.
The English phrase 'dilapidated house' doesn't have a single direct equivalent. Using 荒廃した家 (kouhai shita ie) is possible but sounds unnatural and overly literal. Choose the word that matches the context: abandoned, shabby, or old.
山の中に古い廃墟を見つけた。
I found an old dilapidated house in the mountains.
この地域には空き家が増えている。
The number of vacant (and often dilapidated) houses is increasing in this area.
When I was a child, we lived in a dilapidated house.
The street is lined with old, somewhat dilapidated houses.
This dilapidated building is scheduled for demolition.