Translation guide
The English word "house" can refer to a building for living, a household, a family line, or a legislative body. This guide covers the most common ways to express these meanings in Japanese.
A physical structure where people live, typically a detached house.
The most common word for a house as a physical building. Can also mean 'home' in a broader sense.
That house is big, isn't it?
I built a new house.
Specifically a detached house, as opposed to an apartment or townhouse. Used in real estate contexts.
A more formal term for a residence or dwelling. Often used in official contexts or housing categories.
The place where one lives, often with emotional attachment, or the people living together.
Can mean both the physical house and the concept of home. Context distinguishes.
A noble or important family, often historical.
Can refer to a family lineage or house in the sense of a dynasty. Often used in historical contexts.
A group of people who make laws, e.g., House of Representatives.
Used in the names of legislative chambers, such as 衆議院 (House of Representatives) and 参議院 (House of Councillors).
A business or venue, e.g., publishing house, house of worship.
Used for assembly halls or houses for specific purposes, like 公会堂 (public hall) or 教会 (church).
I want to live in a detached house.
この地域は住宅が多いです。
This area has many houses.
I want to go home.
We have a cat at home.
Refers to the household or family unit, often in contexts like 'home life' or 'family environment'.
I'm taking a day off due to family matters.
One's own home or residence. More formal than 家, often used in business contexts.
I work from home.
The House of Tokugawa ruled the Edo period.
Specifically means family lineage or pedigree.
He comes from an old family line.
The House of Representatives is also called the lower house.
Suffix meaning 'house' or 'chamber' in legislative contexts. Used in compounds.
upper house and lower house
There's a concert at the civic hall.
Suffix for companies or publishers, e.g., 出版社 (publishing house).
That book is published by a famous publishing house.
That house is new.
English uses 'house' in many compound words (e.g., 'treehouse', 'doghouse') that have specific Japanese words. For example, 'treehouse' is ツリーハウス (loanword) or 木の上の家, not a direct compound with 家.