Translation guide
The act of changing the structure, form, or appearance of something, especially a building or room. In Japanese, the most common equivalent is リフォーム (reform), a loanword widely used for home renovation. Other terms like 改装 (renovation) and 改築 (rebuilding) are used depending on the scale and nature of the work.
To express the idea of remodeling a house, apartment, or room, typically involving interior updates, layout changes, or modernizing.
The most common and natural term for home remodeling or renovation in Japanese. It covers a wide range of interior work, from kitchen and bathroom updates to full-scale renovations. It is a loanword from English 'reform' but used differently.
家をリフォームする予定です。
I'm planning to remodel my house.
キッチンのリフォームにはいくらかかりますか？
How much does a kitchen remodel cost?
Refers to renovation or remodeling, often used for both residential and commercial spaces. It implies changing the interior or exterior appearance, sometimes with structural changes. Slightly more formal than リフォーム.
店舗を改装して、カフェにします。
We're remodeling the store into a café.
改装工事のため、来月は休業します。
We'll be closed next month for remodeling work.
From English 'renovation', often used for more extensive remodeling that may involve structural changes, repurposing spaces, or upgrading to modern standards. It can sound more upscale or professional than リフォーム.
古いマンションをリノベーションして住んでいます。
I live in an old apartment that I renovated.
To describe remodeling that involves significant structural work, such as tearing down walls, adding extensions, or almost rebuilding.
Refers to remodeling that involves major structural changes, such as altering the building's framework, adding rooms, or changing the layout significantly. It is more extensive than 改装 or リフォーム.
実家を改築して二世帯住宅にしました。
We remodeled my parents' house into a two-family home.
Literally 'rebuilding', this is used when the old structure is completely demolished and a new one is built. It is not exactly 'remodeling' but often considered in the same context when discussing major changes.
To express lighter remodeling focused on appearance, such as repainting, changing wallpaper, or updating furnishings.
Refers to changing the interior decoration, such as rearranging furniture, changing curtains, or repainting. It implies a lighter touch than structural remodeling.
部屋の模様替えをして気分転換しました。
I redecorated my room for a change of pace.
A straightforward phrase meaning 'to change the interior'. It can cover anything from repainting to minor remodeling.
店の内装を変えて、明るい雰囲気にしました。
We changed the interior of the shop to create a brighter atmosphere.
To talk about remodeling offices, stores, or other commercial properties.
As mentioned, 改装 is very common for commercial remodeling. It is used for stores, restaurants, and offices.
オフィスを改装して、オープンスペースにしました。
We remodeled the office into an open-plan space.
From English 'renewal', often used for refreshing or remodeling commercial spaces, websites, or products. It implies updating to something new and improved.
リフォーム generally refers to repairing or updating existing parts (e.g., replacing a kitchen, repainting walls) without major structural changes. リノベーション implies a more creative transformation, often adding new value or changing the layout significantly. In everyday conversation, リフォーム is more common for typical home remodeling.
リフォームでお風呂を新しくしました。
We remodeled the bathroom (replaced the bathtub, etc.).
リノベーションで間取りを大きく変えました。
We renovated and drastically changed the floor plan.
The direct loanword リモデリング (remodeling) exists but is rarely used in natural Japanese. Stick to リフォーム, 改装, or other terms depending on context.
We decided to tear down and rebuild our old house.
来月、店をリニューアルオープンします。
We're reopening the store next month after remodeling.