Translation guide
To live or dwell in a place, often with a formal or legal nuance. Japanese distinguishes between general living, formal residence, and temporary stays.
To have one's home in a place; to live somewhere on a regular basis.
The most common and neutral verb for 'to live' or 'to reside' in a place. Used for where one's home is.
I reside in Tokyo.
彼は田舎に住みたいと言っている。
He says he wants to live in the countryside.
Emphasizes daily life and the passage of time in a place. Often used for lifestyle or long-term living.
彼女はパリで優雅に暮らしている。
She resides elegantly in Paris.
To officially reside somewhere, often for legal, administrative, or formal purposes.
Formal term used in legal, official, or administrative contexts. Implies having a registered domicile.
外国人は日本に居住するための資格が必要です。
Foreigners need a qualification to reside in Japan.
Often used in profiles or descriptions to indicate current residence, e.g., 'Tokyo resident'. Slightly formal.
彼は現在ロンドンに在住している。
He currently resides in London.
To stay or reside temporarily, such as in a hotel or during a trip.
Used for temporary stays, such as business trips, vacations, or short-term residence.
会議のため、一週間ホテルに滞在します。
I will reside at a hotel for a week for the conference.
Casual verb for staying overnight. Less formal than 滞在する, but can be used for residing temporarily.
友達の家に泊まっている。
I'm staying (residing temporarily) at a friend's house.
To exist or be situated in a place, often used in a poetic or abstract sense.
Literary or poetic term meaning to dwell within, inhabit, or be harbored. Often used for spirits, feelings, or abstract qualities.
この森には精霊が宿っていると言われている。
It is said that spirits reside in this forest.
住む is the general verb for living somewhere. 暮らす focuses on daily life and lifestyle. 居住する is formal and used in legal/official contexts. Choose based on the nuance you want to convey.
東京に住んでいます。
I live in Tokyo. (neutral)
東京で楽しく暮らしています。
I enjoy living in Tokyo. (lifestyle focus)
東京に居住する権利があります。
I have the right to reside in Tokyo. (legal)
In everyday conversation, using 居住する or 在住する can sound overly formal or stiff. Stick to 住む or 暮らす unless the context requires formality.