Translation guide
The practice of cultivating land owned by another person in exchange for rent, typically a share of the crop or a fixed payment. In Japanese, this is most commonly expressed with the noun 小作 (kosaku), often in compounds like 小作農 (kosakunō) for 'tenant farmer' or 小作制度 (kosaku seido) for 'the tenant farming system'. The verb 小作する (kosaku suru) means 'to engage in tenant farming'.
Referring to tenant farming as an agricultural system or practice, often in historical or economic contexts.
The standard term for tenant farming. Can be used as a noun or in compounds.
江戸時代には小作が広く行われていた。
Tenant farming was widely practiced in the Edo period.
Specifically refers to the tenant farming system or institution.
小作制度は地主と小作人の関係に基づいている。
The tenant farming system is based on the relationship between landlords and tenant farmers.
Describing the action of farming rented land.
The most common way to say 'to do tenant farming'.
彼は他人の土地で小作をしている。
He is tenant farming on someone else's land.
The verb form, slightly more formal or written.
多くの農民が小作して生計を立てていた。
Many farmers made a living by tenant farming.
Referring to a person who farms rented land.
Standard term for a tenant farmer.
小作人は収穫の一部を地主に納めた。
The tenant farmer paid a portion of the harvest to the landlord.
Also means tenant farmer, often used in economic or historical contexts.
Referring to the land itself that is farmed by a tenant.
Specifically means tenant-farmed land.
その地域の小作地は主に米作に使われていた。
The tenant-farmed land in that area was mainly used for rice cultivation.
小作 (kosaku) is the traditional term for tenant farming, often associated with pre-modern Japan. 借地農業 (shakuchi nōgyō) is a more modern, legal term meaning 'agriculture on rented land'. In contemporary contexts, 借地農業 may be used in official documents, while 小作 retains historical connotations.
現代の借地農業は契約に基づいて行われる。
Modern tenant farming is conducted based on contracts.
Do not translate 'tenant farming' word-for-word as 借家人農業 (shakuyanin nōgyō) or similar. The established term is 小作. Using a literal translation will sound unnatural and may not be understood.
小作農の生活は厳しかった。
The life of a tenant farmer was harsh.