Translation guide
The English verb "inhabit" means to live in or occupy a place. In Japanese, the most natural translation depends on whether you are talking about people, animals, or spirits, and whether the focus is on dwelling, occupying, or being present in a location.
To express that people live in or occupy a house, town, region, etc.
The most common and general verb for people living somewhere. It focuses on the act of residing.
He lives in Tokyo.
この町には多くの人が住んでいる。
Many people inhabit this town.
A more formal term, often used in official or legal contexts, such as residency registration.
この地域には約1万人が居住している。
Approximately 10,000 people inhabit this area.
This kanji is specifically for animals or insects inhabiting a place, but it is less common in modern usage; 住む is often used for animals as well.
この森には珍しい鳥が棲んでいる。
Rare birds inhabit this forest.
To describe animals, plants, or other organisms naturally living in a specific environment.
The standard term for animals or plants inhabiting a habitat. Used in biology and ecology.
この島には固有種が生息している。
Endemic species inhabit this island.
熱帯雨林には多様な生物が生息する。
Diverse organisms inhabit tropical rainforests.
Variant kanji for 生息する, emphasizing animal habitation. Less common but seen in literary or older texts.
深海には奇妙な生物が棲息する。
Strange creatures inhabit the deep sea.
Can be used for animals in casual or everyday contexts, though 生息する is more precise for habitats.
この川には魚がたくさん住んでいる。
Many fish inhabit this river.
To express that a spirit, deity, or mythical being dwells in a location.
Means to dwell within, often used for spirits, souls, or divine presence inhabiting an object or place.
この木には精霊が宿っていると言われている。
It is said that a spirit inhabits this tree.
Can be used for gods or spirits in a more literal sense of living somewhere, but 宿る is more idiomatic for indwelling.
Specifically used for a deity being enshrined or dwelling in a shrine. Very formal and religious.
この神社には五柱の神が鎮座している。
Five deities inhabit this shrine.
To describe something non-living that occupies or is present throughout a space, such as memories, atmosphere, or objects.
Means to fill or pervade, often used for abstract things like silence, light, or feelings inhabiting a space.
部屋には静寂が満ちていた。
Silence inhabited the room.
To float or hang in the air; used for scents, moods, or atmospheres that seem to inhabit a place.
Simply means 'to exist', but can be used in a more literal translation of 'inhabit' for abstract concepts, though it sounds less natural.
その場所には常に危険が存在する。
Danger always inhabits that place.
住む is the general verb for living/residing, used for people and sometimes animals. 生息する is specifically for organisms inhabiting a habitat. 宿る is for spirits or abstract qualities dwelling within something. Choose based on the subject.
Directly translating 'inhabit' as 住む in all contexts can sound unnatural. For animals, prefer 生息する; for spirits, 宿る; for abstract qualities, use verbs like 満ちる or 漂う.
It is believed that a god inhabits this mountain.
古い家にはかび臭い匂いが漂っていた。
A musty smell inhabited the old house.