Translation guide
In Japanese, the concept of a 'neighbouring house' is typically expressed by combining a word for 'neighbour' or 'next door' with 'house'. The most common and natural way is 隣の家 (tonari no ie). However, the choice depends on the relationship and context, such as whether it's immediately adjacent, across the street, or in the same building.
Referring to the house that is directly next to yours, sharing a property line or very close.
The most common and natural way to say 'the house next door'. 隣 (tonari) means 'next door' or 'neighbouring', and 家 (ie) means 'house'. This is used for the house immediately beside yours.
隣の家の犬がよく吠える。
The dog at the neighbouring house barks a lot.
The house next door is vacant.
A slightly more polite version of 隣の家, using the honorific prefix お. It sounds a bit softer and is often used in conversation.
お隣の家からいい匂いがする。
There's a nice smell coming from the house next door.
A more formal, written term for 'neighbouring house'. It is less common in everyday speech.
隣家との境界線を確認する。
Confirm the boundary line with the neighbouring house.
Referring to a house that is nearby, in the same area, but not necessarily immediately next door.
Used for a house in the neighbourhood, not necessarily the one right next door. 近所 (kinjo) means 'neighbourhood' or 'vicinity'.
近所の家が改装中だ。
A house in the neighbourhood is being renovated.
近所の家に空き巣が入った。
A house in the neighbourhood was burglarized.
Similar to 近所の家, but 近く (chikaku) simply means 'nearby'. It can be used for any house close by, even if not in the same neighbourhood.
近くの家に引っ越してきた家族がいる。
There's a family that moved into a nearby house.
Specifically referring to the house on the other side of the street.
Means 'the house opposite' or 'the house across the street'. 向かい (mukai) means 'opposite side'.
向かいの家の住人はとても親切だ。
The residents of the house across the street are very kind.
向かいの家に新しい店ができた。
A new shop opened in the house across the street.
Polite version of 向かいの家, with the honorific お. Commonly used in conversation.
お向かいの家の猫が迷い込んできた。
The cat from the house across the street wandered in.
Referring to the house at the back of your property.
Means 'the house behind'. 裏 (ura) means 'back' or 'rear'. Used for the house directly behind yours.
裏の家の木が塀を越えて伸びている。
The tree from the house behind is growing over the fence.
Referring to the unit next door in an apartment building or condominium.
In apartment buildings, 'house' is often replaced by 'room' (部屋, heya) or 'unit'. 隣の部屋 means 'the next-door room/apartment'.
隣の部屋の人がうるさい。
The person in the neighbouring apartment is noisy.
A more technical term for 'neighbouring dwelling unit', used in real estate or formal contexts.
隣の住戸との間の壁が薄い。
The wall between our unit and the neighbouring unit is thin.
隣の家 (tonari no ie) specifically means the house immediately next door, while 近所の家 (kinjo no ie) refers to any house in the neighbourhood. Use 隣 for direct adjacency.
隣の家とは塀で仕切られている。
We are separated from the neighbouring house by a fence.
近所の家を一軒一軒訪ねた。
I visited every house in the neighbourhood one by one.
Adding お before 隣 or 向かい makes the expression more polite and is common in everyday speech when referring to someone else's house. It shows respect toward the neighbour.