Translation guide
The English word 'studio' covers several distinct spaces and concepts. In Japanese, different words are used depending on whether you mean an artist's workspace, a recording studio, a film/TV set, a dance/yoga practice room, or a small apartment.
A room or building where an artist, photographer, or designer works.
Commonly used for an artist's or craftsperson's studio. Borrowed from French 'atelier'.
She is painting in her studio.
Can also mean an artist's studio, but more commonly used for photography, recording, or broadcasting studios.
Workshop or atelier, often for crafts, pottery, or sculpture. Implies a hands-on making space.
A facility for recording music, voice-overs, or sound.
The standard term for a recording studio.
A large building or complex where movies or television shows are produced.
Used for film and TV studios, often as part of a compound like 映画スタジオ (film studio).
A room or facility for practicing dance, yoga, martial arts, or exercise.
Commonly used for dance, yoga, and fitness studios.
A small apartment with a combined living and sleeping area.
While スタジオ can mean an artist's studio, アトリエ is much more natural for a painter or sculptor's workspace. Using スタジオ might sound like a photography or recording studio.
In Japanese real estate, ワンルーム is the standard term for a studio apartment. スタジオアパート is understood but sounds like a direct translation from English and is less common.
写真スタジオを借りる。
Rent a photography studio.
陶芸の工房を開く。
Open a pottery studio.
The band recorded a new song in the studio.
Explicitly 'recording studio'. Used when clarity is needed.
Book a recording studio.
I toured a Hollywood studio.
Literally 'filming place'. More formal or traditional term for a movie studio lot.
A period drama was filmed at the Toei studio.
I go to a yoga studio.
Practice hall, especially for traditional Japanese arts like dance, theater, or martial arts.
I'm looking for a Japanese dance studio.
Short for 'one-room mansion/apartment'. The standard term for a studio apartment in Japan.
I rented a studio apartment.
Direct loanword, understood but less common than ワンルーム.
I live in a studio apartment.