Translation guide
A person who stays in someone's home while they are away to look after it, often including pet care, plant watering, or security.
The person who stays in the house to look after it.
General term for someone who stays behind to watch the house. Can be used for a house-sitter, though it often implies a family member staying home.
旅行中、友達に留守番を頼んだ。
I asked a friend to house-sit while I was traveling.
Descriptive phrase meaning 'person who watches the house'. Clear and natural when explaining the role.
家の留守番をする人を探しています。
I'm looking for someone to house-sit.
Loanword from English. Understood by some, but not as common as native expressions. Used in contexts like pet-sitting services.
ハウスシッターのサービスを利用した。
I used a house-sitting service.
The action or job of staying in someone's home to look after it.
Verb phrase meaning 'to house-sit' or 'to watch the house'. Very common.
週末、隣の家の留守番をした。
I house-sat for the neighbors over the weekend.
In Japanese, it's common to specify what the house-sitter will do, such as 犬の世話 (dog care) or 植物の水やり (watering plants), rather than using a single word for house-sitter.
犬の世話と郵便物の回収をお願いした。
I asked them to take care of the dog and collect the mail.
The direct translation '家に座る人' (person who sits in the house) is unnatural and not used. Use 留守番 or descriptive phrases instead.
Literally 'to watch the house'. Natural and casual way to say house-sit.
友達が旅行中、家を見てくれることになった。
My friend will house-sit for me while I'm traveling.
Means 'to take care of the house'. Implies a broader responsibility, like watering plants or collecting mail.
長期の留守の間、家の世話を頼める人を探している。
I'm looking for someone to take care of my house while I'm away for a long time.