Translation guide
The English word "premises" has two main uses: referring to a building and its land, and referring to the basis of an argument. This guide covers both, with a focus on natural Japanese expressions.
Referring to a physical location, such as a shop, office, or property.
Refers to the land or site of a building. Commonly used for 'premises' in the sense of a property.
Referring to the foundational statement or assumption in logic or reasoning.
敷地 emphasizes the land or site itself, while 構内 emphasizes the area inside a defined boundary, often used for larger facilities like campuses or stations. For a small shop, 店舗 or 敷地 might be more natural.
Do not translate 'premises' as 前提 when referring to a physical location. 前提 is only for logical premises. Using it for a building would be confusing.
学校の敷地内では禁煙です。
Smoking is prohibited on the school premises.
Means 'inside the grounds' or 'on the premises', often used for institutions like schools, factories, or stations.
駅の構内にコンビニがあります。
There is a convenience store on the station premises.
Specifically refers to a shop or store premises. Used when talking about a commercial space.
新しい店舗は来月オープンします。
The new premises will open next month.
Means 'facility' or 'establishment'. Can be used for premises in a broader sense, like a building and its equipment.
この施設は24時間利用できます。
These premises can be used 24 hours a day.
Literally 'within the site'. Often used in signs or rules to mean 'on the premises'.
敷地内に駐車しないでください。
Please do not park on the premises.
The standard translation for 'premise' in logic or argumentation. Means a precondition or assumption.
その議論は誤った前提に基づいている。
That argument is based on a false premise.
Means 'basis' or 'grounds'. Can be used for the supporting reason in an argument, though less specific than 前提.
その主張には十分な根拠がない。
That claim lacks sufficient premises.