Translation guide
The English word 'staying' covers several distinct meanings: remaining in a place, lodging somewhere, or continuing in a state. This guide helps learners choose the most natural Japanese expression for each situation.
To stay somewhere, as in not departing or continuing to be present.
The most basic verb for 'to be/stay' for animate things. Use this for people or animals staying in a location.
Please stay here a little longer.
彼は家にいる。
He is staying at home.
Means 'to remain' or 'stay behind' when others leave. Often used for staying after an event or staying in a place while others go.
私は最後まで残った。
I stayed until the end.
彼だけが部屋に残った。
Only he stayed in the room.
A more formal or literary word for 'stay' or 'remain'. Often used in written language or formal speech.
現地にとどまる決断をした。
We decided to stay on site.
To stay overnight or for a period at a hotel, someone's house, etc.
The standard verb for staying overnight at a place. Use for hotels, friends' houses, etc.
ホテルに泊まりました。
I stayed at a hotel.
友達の家に泊まってもいい？
Can I stay at your place?
A more formal term for 'stay' as in sojourn or temporary residence. Used for longer stays or in formal contexts.
日本に一週間滞在します。
I will stay in Japan for a week.
A polite expression meaning 'to be taken care of', often used when staying at someone's house. Implies gratitude.
今夜はお世話になります。
I'll be staying with you tonight. (Thank you for having me.)
To remain in a certain state, such as staying calm, healthy, etc.
Pattern meaning 'to stay/remain as is'. Attach to nouns, na-adjectives, or past tense verbs.
そのままでいてください。
Please stay as you are.
窓は開いたままだ。
The window stayed open.
The te-iru form can express a continuing state. Often used with adjectives or verbs indicating a state.
Means 'to maintain' or 'keep' a state. Used for staying calm, staying healthy, etc. Often in compound verbs.
泊まる is for overnight stays, typically short and casual. 滞在する is more formal and implies a longer sojourn, like a business trip or vacation stay.
いる is only for living things. For objects 'staying' in a place, use ある or other verbs like 置いてある.
Stay calm.