main building; main house
Refers to the principal building of a traditional Japanese residential compound, as opposed to outbuildings or detached wings.
この敷地では、母屋のほかに離れと蔵がある。
On this property, besides the main house, there is a detached building and a storehouse.
central room; main room
In traditional Japanese farmhouses, the large central room with an open hearth, used for daily living and receiving guests.
古い農家では、母屋にいろりがあった。
In old farmhouses, the central room had an open hearth.
母屋 is the main house or central building on a property, in contrast to 別棟, which is a separate, detached structure.
Standard kanji spelling; high priority in news and frequency lists.
Alternate kanji spelling; less common than 母屋.
Alternate kanji spelling; less common than 母屋.
Rare alternate kanji spelling.
Formed from おも, “principal” or “main,” and 屋, “building”; 母屋 is the conventional spelling for the main building of a residential complex.