館やかた

や

か

た

JLPTN1Freq.FrequencyTop 2,000

Meanings

1

noun

mansion; palace; manor house; castle

poetical term

Poetic or literary term for a grand residence, often historical or noble.

その貴き族ぞくは丘おかの上うえに大おおきな館やかたを構かまえていた。

The nobleman had a large mansion on the hill.

2

noun

lord; master; noble person

honorific or respectful (sonkeigo)archaic

Archaic honorific term for a nobleman or noblewoman, often used as お館様.

Expressions

恐きょう怖ふの館やかたhouse of horrors

Kanji

館building, mansion, large building
屋roof, house, shop
形shape, form, style

Related words

屋や敷しきN1sense 1
屋敷 is the everyday word for a large house or residence, while 館 is a more poetic or archaic term for a grand mansion or palace.
邸てい宅たくN1sense 1
邸宅 is a formal, modern word for a large residence, whereas 館 carries an old-fashioned, literary flavor.

Politeness

お館やかた様さまhonorific 尊敬語sense 2
お館様 is the honorific form used to address a lord, while 館 alone in this sense is an archaic, plain term for a nobleman.

Don't confuse with

館かん sense 1
Written with the same kanji, 館 read as かん means a hall or public building (like 図書館), while 館 read as やかた is an archaic word for a mansion or lord.

Word family

夏なつ館やかた
summer villa; summer mansion
お館やかた様さま
lord; master; nobleman; noblewoman; dignitary

Written forms

館やかたUsage84%
Standard kanji for mansion/palace and archaic noble person senses.
屋や形かたUsage14%
Archaic spelling for boat cabin/houseboat senses; also used in 屋形船.
やかたUsage2%
ヤカタUsage<1%

Etymology

Originally referred to a large building or residence; the reading やかた is of native origin. The kanji 館 carries the meaning of a large building, while 屋形 literally means 'house shape', reflecting its use for boat structures.