向むこう三さん軒げん両りょう隣どなり

noun

nearest neighbors; immediate neighborhood

A set phrase referring to the closest neighbors in a traditional residential context. Literally 'the three houses across the street and the two houses on either side', but used more broadly for one's immediate neighbors. Often appears in discussions of community ties or mutual aid.

• 向むこう三さん軒げん両りょう隣どなりとの付つき合あいは大たい切せつだ。

  Relationships with one's nearest neighbors are important.

• 昔むかしは向むこう三さん軒げん両りょう隣どなりで助たすけ合あっていたものだ。

  In the old days, people used to help each other among the immediate neighbors.