Translation guide
In Japanese, referring to a former residence depends on whose residence it is and the context. For your own former home, use humble expressions. For others, use neutral or respectful terms. The most common and useful word is 前の家 (mae no ie), meaning 'previous house'.
To refer to the house or apartment where you used to live, in everyday conversation.
Literally 'previous house'. This is the most natural and common way to say 'my former residence' in casual or neutral contexts.
前の家は駅から遠かった。
My former residence was far from the station.
My current house is bigger than my former residence.
Literally 'the house I used to live in'. A slightly more explicit way to say 'former residence'. Still natural and common.
前に住んでいた家は庭が広かった。
The house I used to live in had a big garden.
Literally 'old house' or 'house from long ago'. Implies a longer time has passed since you lived there. Can sound nostalgic.
昔の家はもう取り壊された。
My former residence has already been demolished.
To refer humbly to your own former residence in formal situations, such as when speaking to superiors or in business contexts.
A humble term for one's own former residence. Used in formal speech or writing.
旧居は東京にございました。
My former residence was in Tokyo. (very formal)
A humble term for one's own former residence. Less common than 旧居, but used in formal letters or announcements.
前宅は手狭でしたので引っ越しました。
My former residence was too small, so I moved.
To refer to the former residence of another person, such as a famous figure, a friend, or a family member, without being overly formal.
Works for others as well. Context makes it clear whose former residence you mean.
彼の前の家はもっと都会にあった。
His former residence was in a more urban area.
A neutral way to say 'the house where someone used to live'. Slightly more formal than 前の家.
彼女が以前住んでいた家は今は空き家だ。
The house where she used to live is now vacant.
A respectful or neutral term for someone else's former residence. Often used for historical figures or in real estate contexts.
A literary term for a former residence, often used for historical or famous people. Implies a sense of nostalgia.
その詩人の故居は保存されている。
The poet's former residence is preserved.
To refer to a place where a famous person used to live, often now a museum or landmark.
Commonly used for the former residences of famous people, especially when they are preserved as historical sites.
この旧居は国の重要文化財に指定されている。
This former residence is designated as an Important Cultural Property of Japan.
Also used for historical former residences, but slightly less formal than 旧居.
Specifically means 'birthplace' or 'house where someone was born'. Often used for historical figures.
The direct translation '以前の住居' (izen no jūkyo) is grammatically correct but sounds stiff and unnatural in most everyday contexts. Use 前の家 or 前に住んでいた家 instead.
Both mean 'former residence', but 旧居 (kyūkyo) is more formal and often used for one's own former home in humble speech, while 旧宅 (kyūtaku) is more neutral and commonly used for others' former homes, especially historical figures.
I visited Natsume Soseki's former residence.
The literary giant's former residence is open to the public.
His birthplace is now a memorial museum.