Translation guide
The English word 'neighbour' refers to a person living nearby, a person or thing situated next to another, or a fellow human being. In Japanese, the most common equivalent is 隣の人 (tonari no hito) for a next-door neighbour, but the concept is often expressed through location words like 隣 (tonari) or 近所 (kinjo) depending on context. Direct translation is not always natural; Japanese often uses relational nouns instead of a standalone word for 'neighbour'.
Referring to someone who lives in the immediately adjacent house, apartment, or room.
Literally 'the person next door'. This is the most direct and natural way to say 'neighbour' when referring to someone living immediately adjacent.
隣の人はとても親切です。
My next-door neighbour is very kind.
I left a key with my neighbour.
A more formal or literary term for 'neighbour'. Often used in writing or formal speech, but less common in everyday conversation.
隣人との関係は大切です。
Relationships with neighbours are important.
A friendly, colloquial way to refer to a neighbour, often used in casual conversation. It carries a warm, familiar tone.
お隣さんからおすそ分けをもらった。
I got some food from my neighbour.
Referring to someone who lives in the general vicinity, not necessarily next door.
Literally 'person of the neighbourhood'. This is the most common way to refer to a neighbour in a broader sense, someone who lives nearby.
近所の人たちとバーベキューをしました。
We had a barbecue with the neighbours.
近所の人が犬の散歩をしている。
A neighbour is walking their dog.
Means 'neighbourhood' but can be used metonymically to refer to neighbours collectively. Often used in phrases like 近所付き合い (neighbourly relations).
Polite form of 近所, often used when speaking about neighbours in a respectful way.
ご近所に迷惑をかけないように。
Don't cause trouble for the neighbours.
Referring to an adjacent person or object in a sequence or arrangement, such as in a row or at a table.
Means 'next to' or 'adjacent'. Can refer to a person or thing. In context, it implies 'the neighbour' without needing 'person'.
隣の席の人がうるさい。
The person in the next seat is noisy.
私の隣に座ってください。
Please sit next to me.
Used for 'neighbouring country'. The pattern 隣のX is very productive for 'neighbouring X'.
日本は隣の国と良い関係を築いている。
Japan has built good relations with its neighbours.
Referring to any other person, especially in the sense of 'love thy neighbour' or moral obligation.
Used in religious or ethical contexts to mean 'fellow human being'. This is the standard translation in the Bible and similar texts.
汝の隣人を愛せよ。
Love thy neighbour.
Means 'love for one's neighbour' or 'charity'. A compound noun used in ethical discussions.
While 隣人 (rinjin) is a correct translation for 'neighbour', it sounds formal and is rarely used in everyday conversation. For casual contexts, use 隣の人 (tonari no hito) or 近所の人 (kinjo no hito) instead.
Japanese often omits the word for 'person' and uses location words like 隣 (tonari) or 近所 (kinjo) when the context is clear. For example, 'I borrowed this from my neighbour' can be simply これ、隣から借りた (kore, tonari kara karita).
Neighbourly relations are important.
隣人愛の精神が大切だ。
The spirit of neighbourly love is important.