Translation guide
In Japanese, referring to one's own house depends on formality, relationship to the listener, and whether you are speaking about your own home or someone else's. The most common and neutral word is 家 (いえ/うち), but 自宅 (じたく) is more formal. When speaking to outsiders, use humble terms for your own home and respectful terms for theirs.
The speaker refers to their own house in casual or neutral contexts.
The most common word for 'house' or 'home'. Used in everyday conversation. Can also be read うち, which is more intimate.
私の家は駅の近くです。
My house is near the station.
家に帰ります。
I'm going home.
A more intimate, colloquial reading of 家. Often used when referring to one's own home or family. Can sound feminine or childlike in some contexts.
うちに遊びに来ない？
Why don't you come over to my place?
Formal term for one's own house or residence. Used in official contexts or when speaking politely.
自宅にて仕事をしています。
I work from home.
The speaker humbly refers to their own house when talking to someone outside their in-group (e.g., business contacts, strangers).
A humble way to say 'my house'. Used in formal situations or business correspondence.
拙宅へお越しください。
Please come to my humble home.
Simply 'my house'. Neutral but can be used humbly depending on context. Less formal than 拙宅.
私の家は狭いですが、どうぞ。
My house is small, but please come in.
The speaker refers to the listener's or a third person's house with respect.
Polite term for 'your house' or 'someone's house'. Commonly used in conversation.
お宅はどちらですか？
Where is your house?
Even more polite than お宅. Often used in business or formal settings.
ご自宅までお送りします。
I will take you to your home.
Used in written contexts or when specifying a physical residence.
Means 'address' but often used to refer to one's house in formal writing.
住所を教えてください。
Please tell me your address.
A somewhat literary or formal word for 'dwelling' or 'residence'.
Referring to one's household or family rather than the physical building.
Means 'home' in the sense of family life or household.
家庭を大切にしています。
I value my family/home life.
In Japanese, directly saying '私の家' can sound overly possessive or redundant. Often, simply '家' is enough when context makes it clear you mean your own home. Use humble forms when speaking to outsiders.
Both readings of 家 are common. いえ is more neutral and can refer to any house. うち is more personal and often implies 'my home' or 'my family'. In Kansai dialect, うち is the standard word for 'house'.
I found a new place to live.