Translation guide
Expresses the idea of living or dwelling in a place. Japanese distinguishes between permanent residence, temporary stays, and formal/legal domicile. The most common everyday word is 住む (sumu).
どこに住んでいますか？
Where do you live?
To say where one lives as a home, typically for a long period.
The standard verb for 'to live' or 'reside' in a place. Used for one's home or permanent dwelling.
I live in Tokyo.
彼は郊外に住んでいる。
He lives in the suburbs.
A formal term for residing, often used in legal or official contexts.
外国人はこの地域に居住することができます。
Foreigners can reside in this area.
Used to indicate residing in a place, often seen in profiles or news articles. More formal than 住む.
彼は現在ロンドンに在住している。
He currently resides in London.
To indicate a temporary stay, such as at a hotel or while traveling.
Means 'to stay' temporarily, often used for business trips, vacations, or short-term visits.
彼はホテルに滞在している。
He is staying at a hotel.
一週間京都に滞在する予定です。
I plan to stay in Kyoto for a week.
Means 'to stay overnight' at a place like a hotel or a friend's house. More casual than 滞在する.
To refer to one's registered address or legal place of residence.
The standard word for 'address' or 'place of residence' in official contexts.
住所を教えてください。
Please tell me your address.
Means 'current address' or 'present residence', used on forms.
住む (sumu) is for permanent or long-term residence. 滞在する (taizai suru) is for temporary stays of days or weeks. 泊まる (tomaru) is specifically for overnight stays.
日本に住んでいます。
I live in Japan.
日本に滞在しています。
I am staying in Japan (temporarily).
ホテルに泊まりました。
I stayed at a hotel (overnight).
Using 住む for a hotel stay or a short visit sounds unnatural. Use 滞在する or 泊まる instead.
I stayed at my friend's house.
現住所を記入してください。
Please fill in your current address.