Translation guide
In Japanese, expressing 'rental' depends on what is being rented and for how long. Common words include レンタル for general short-term rentals (cars, DVDs, equipment), 賃貸 for long-term housing or property leases, and 貸し出し for lending/rental services like libraries or rental shops. The verb 借りる means 'to borrow/rent' from the user's perspective.
Referring to the act or service of renting items for a limited period, often from a rental shop or service.
Loanword from English, widely used for short-term rentals of cars, DVDs, costumes, equipment, etc. Often used as a noun or in compound words like レンタカー (rental car).
I rent a DVD.
I rented a car.
Refers to the lending/rental service itself, often used by libraries, rental shops, or services. Can be used as a noun or suru-verb.
Explicitly refers to a rental service, often used in business contexts.
This store provides a rental service.
Referring to renting a place to live, such as an apartment, house, or room, typically under a lease agreement.
Expressing the action of renting something, focusing on the person who receives the item.
The most common verb meaning 'to borrow' or 'to rent'. Used for both short-term and long-term rentals. Transitive verb.
Referring to the price paid for renting something.
Rental fee for short-term items like cars, equipment, etc.
Referring to a store or business that rents out items.
General term for a rental shop, e.g., DVD rental store.
レンタル is used for short-term, movable items (cars, DVDs, equipment). 賃貸 is used for long-term real estate rentals (apartments, houses, land). Using レンタル for an apartment sounds odd, as if you're renting it for a day.
Rent a car.
図書館の本の貸し出し
library book rental
We offer video rentals.
The standard term for long-term rental of real estate. Often used in compounds like 賃貸マンション (rental apartment) or 賃貸契約 (lease contract).
I'm looking for a rental apartment.
This apartment is for rent.
Specifically a rented house (as opposed to an apartment). Often used in legal or formal contexts.
I live in a rented house.
A rented room, often within a larger house. Somewhat dated; ルームシェア or シェアハウス are more common for shared living.
Look for a room for rent.
I rent a car.
I rent an apartment.
Using レンタル as a suru-verb. Common for short-term rentals, especially when emphasizing the rental service aspect.
I rent a DVD.
The rental fee is 5000 yen per day.
Rent for housing or property. More formal than 家賃.
The rent is 100,000 yen per month.
Common word for house/apartment rent. Used in everyday conversation.
The rent is high.
Rental fee for lending services, e.g., library or rental shop fees.
The rental fee is free.
I rented it at a nearby rental shop.
A store that offers rental services, though less common than レンタルショップ.
That rental shop has a good selection.
Rent out an apartment (from owner's perspective).
While レンタル is understood, it's unnatural for long-term housing. Use 賃貸 or 借りる instead.