When you want to talk about the place where you grew up or where your family comes from, you use 故郷 (furusato).
It's a noun that means 'hometown' or 'birthplace.' This word often carries a warm feeling of nostalgia and connection to your roots.
For example, if you visit your childhood home, you might say it's your 故郷.
It's a common and useful word to know when describing your background or talking about where you feel you belong.
故郷 (kokyō) is used to refer to one's hometown or birthplace. It carries a warm, nostalgic feeling, often associated with memories of childhood and family. While similar to 「出身地」(shusshinchi), which more neutrally means 'place of origin,' 故郷 emphasizes the emotional connection to that place. For example, you might say 「私の故郷は小さい町です」(Watashi no kokyō wa chiisai machi desu - My hometown is a small town) or 「故郷が恋しい」(Kokyō ga koishii - I miss my hometown).
故郷 (kokyō) is used to refer to one's hometown or birthplace. It carries a sense of nostalgia and emotional attachment to the place where one grew up or originated from. While similar to 「地元」(jimoto), which also means hometown, 故郷 often emphasizes a deeper, more sentimental connection. It's common to hear people talk about returning to their 故郷 for holidays or special occasions. This word evokes feelings of warmth, familiarity, and a longing for one's roots.
故郷 (kokyō) is used to refer to one's hometown or birthplace. It carries a sense of nostalgia and emotional attachment to the place where one grew up or originated. While 故郷 specifically emphasizes the emotional connection to the place, the word 出身 (shusshin) is a more neutral term that simply indicates one's origin or place of birth without the added emotional nuance. Another related word is 地元 (jimoto), which refers to one's local area or hometown in a more casual context. 故郷 is often used in literature, songs, and heartfelt conversations to express a deep longing or affection for one's roots.
故郷 in 30 Sekunden
- 故郷 (furusato) means hometown or birthplace.
- It carries a sense of nostalgia and emotional connection.
- Often used when talking about where you grew up.
§ What 故郷 (furusato) Means
故郷 (furusato) is a noun that means 'hometown' or 'birthplace'. It carries a strong feeling of nostalgia and emotional connection to the place where one grew up or was born. It's not just a physical location, but often evokes memories, comfort, and belonging. You'll hear it used in songs and stories quite a bit because of this emotional weight.
- Japanese Word
- 故郷 (ふるさと)
- CEFR Level
- A2
- Definition
- Hometown; birthplace.
§ How to use it in a sentence
Using 故郷 (furusato) in a sentence is straightforward, as it functions like any other noun. You can use it with particles to indicate possession, location, or the object of a verb. Here are some common patterns and examples:
- 故郷 + の (no): To show possession or to describe something as being 'of' your hometown.
- 故郷 + に (ni): To indicate a destination or location ('to my hometown', 'in my hometown').
- 故郷 + を (o): As the direct object of a verb (e.g., 'to leave my hometown', 'to miss my hometown').
Let's look at some practical examples.
私の故郷は北海道です。
- Translation hint
- My hometown is Hokkaido.
Here, の is implied between 私 and 故郷, meaning 'my hometown'. This is a simple statement of fact about your origin.
週末に故郷に帰ります。
- Translation hint
- I will go back to my hometown on the weekend.
The particle に indicates the destination. This is a common way to express returning to your hometown.
故郷の友達に会いたいです。
- Translation hint
- I want to meet my hometown friends.
Here, の connects 故郷 to 友達, meaning 'friends from my hometown'.
私は故郷を離れて東京に来ました。
- Translation hint
- I left my hometown and came to Tokyo.
The particle を marks 故郷 as the object of the verb 離れる (hanareru - to leave). This is a very natural way to say you moved away.
故郷の味が恋しいです。
- Translation hint
- I miss the taste of my hometown (food).
Here, 故郷の味 (furusato no aji) literally means 'taste of hometown', referring to familiar food. 恋しい (koishii) means 'miss' or 'long for'.
You might also hear 故郷 (furusato) used in combination with other words to form compound nouns or phrases. For instance, 故郷納税 (furusato nōzei) is a system in Japan where you can donate to a local municipality and receive a tax deduction, and often a gift in return. This shows how the concept of 'hometown' can be integrated into everyday life and systems.
When talking about your 故郷, you can also use phrases like 故郷に帰る (furusato ni kaeru - to return to one's hometown) or 故郷を思う (furusato o omou - to think of/miss one's hometown). These common expressions highlight the emotional aspect of the word.
In summary, 故郷 (furusato) is a key word for expressing your connection to your origins in Japanese. It's a versatile noun that can be used with various particles to describe your feelings, actions, and relationships concerning your birthplace or hometown. Pay attention to the context, and you'll quickly get the hang of its nuanced usage.
§ Don't Confuse 故郷 (furusato) with 出身地 (shusshinchi)
Many learners use 故郷 (furusato) and 出身地 (shusshinchi) interchangeably. While both relate to where someone is from, their nuances are different. 故郷 (furusato) carries a strong emotional attachment – it's your nostalgic hometown, the place you feel a deep connection to. 出身地 (shusshinchi) is simply the place you were born or grew up, a factual location without necessarily the emotional weight. Think of it this way: everyone has a 出身地 (shusshinchi), but not everyone has a 故郷 (furusato) in the emotional sense.
- DEFINITION
- 出身地 (shusshinchi): Place of origin; birthplace; hometown (factual).
私の出身地は大阪です。
My hometown (where I was born) is Osaka.
久しぶりに故郷に帰りたい。
I want to go back to my hometown (the place I feel nostalgic about) after a long time.
§ Using 故郷 (furusato) for Non-Personal Places
故郷 (furusato) is almost exclusively used for a person's hometown or birthplace. You wouldn't use it to describe, for example, the 'hometown' of a company or an animal in a literal sense. While you might encounter poetic or metaphorical uses, in everyday conversation, stick to using 故郷 (furusato) for human connections to a place.
Incorrect usage example:
あの会社の故郷は東京です。(Incorrect for 'The company's hometown is Tokyo.')
Instead, you would use something like 本社 (honsha) for 'headquarters' or 創業地 (sōgyōchi) for 'place of establishment' for a company.
- DEFINITION
- 本社 (honsha): Head office; main office; headquarters.
- DEFINITION
- 創業地 (sōgyōchi): Place of establishment (of a company).
§ Overusing 故郷 (furusato) for Simple 'Home'
Sometimes learners use 故郷 (furusato) when they simply mean 'home' in a general sense, like the house they live in now, or their current place of residence. 故郷 (furusato) specifically refers to your origin or a place with deep nostalgic ties, not just any 'home.'
今日、私の故郷に帰ります。(Incorrect if you mean your current home.)
Instead, for your current home or residence, use:
- 家 (ie / uchi): House; home
- 自宅 (jitaku): One's own home
今日、私の家に帰ります。
Today, I'm going back home (to my current residence).
§ Summary of Mistakes to Avoid
To recap, be mindful of these common errors when using 故郷 (furusato):
- Don't confuse it with the factual term 出身地 (shusshinchi).
- It's for personal, nostalgic hometowns, not for companies or non-human entities.
- It doesn't mean your current 'home' or residence; use 家 (ie/uchi) or 自宅 (jitaku) for that.
Wusstest du?
The character '故' also appears in words like '故事 (koji)' - old story/legend, and '故人 (kojin)' - old friend/deceased person, highlighting its connection to the past.
Beispiele nach Niveau
私の故郷は東京です。
My hometown is Tokyo.
'〜は〜です' (〜wa〜desu) is a common way to say '〜 is 〜'.
故郷に帰りたいです。
I want to go back to my hometown.
'〜たいです' (〜tai desu) expresses desire or want.
あなたの故郷はどこですか？
Where is your hometown?
'どこですか' (doko desu ka) asks 'where is it?'
彼は故郷を大切にしています。
He cherishes his hometown.
'〜を大切にしています' (〜o taisetsu ni shite imasu) means 'to cherish/value 〜'.
これは私の故郷の歌です。
This is a song from my hometown.
'〜の〜' (〜no〜) indicates possession or origin.
故郷の友達に会いました。
I met a friend from my hometown.
'〜に会いました' (〜ni aimashita) means 'met 〜'.
私は故郷が大好きです。
I love my hometown.
'〜が大好きです' (〜ga daisuki desu) means 'I love 〜' or 'I like 〜 very much'.
故郷の食べ物がおいしいです。
The food from my hometown is delicious.
'〜がおいしいです' (〜ga oishii desu) means '〜 is delicious'.
多くの人々が、故郷を離れて都会で成功を収めることを夢見ますが、中には故郷の温かさを忘れられない人もいます。
Many people dream of leaving their hometown to succeed in the city, but some cannot forget the warmth of their hometown.
彼女は故郷の伝統的な祭りを守り続けるために、都市でのキャリアを捨てて戻ってきました。
She abandoned her urban career and returned to her hometown to continue preserving its traditional festival.
どんなに遠くへ行っても、心のどこかに故郷の風景が焼き付いていて、時折無性に帰りたくなるものです。
No matter how far you go, the scenery of your hometown is imprinted somewhere in your heart, and sometimes you just yearn to return.
戦争によって故郷を失った人々にとって、その悲しみは言葉では表現しがたいものがあります。
For those who lost their hometowns due to war, the grief is indescribable.
彼は故郷の発展に貢献するため、自身の持つ知識と経験を惜しみなく提供しています。
He generously offers his knowledge and experience to contribute to the development of his hometown.
都会の喧騒に疲れた時、ふと故郷の静かな自然が恋しくなることがあります。
When tired of the city's hustle and bustle, one might suddenly miss the quiet nature of their hometown.
彼女は故郷に伝わる昔話や伝説を子供たちに語り継ぐことを、自分の使命だと考えています。
She considers it her mission to pass down the old tales and legends of her hometown to children.
故郷を離れて初めて、その場所が自分にとってどれほど大切だったか、その本当の価値に気づかされることがあります。
It's often only after leaving your hometown that you realize how important that place was to you, its true value.
Häufige Kollokationen
Häufige Phrasen
私の故郷は大阪です。
My hometown is Osaka. (lit. My hometown is Osaka.)
故郷に年に一度帰省します。
I go back to my hometown once a year. (lit. To hometown once a year return-home.)
故郷の景色が忘れられない。
I can't forget the scenery of my hometown. (lit. Hometown's scenery cannot-be-forgotten.)
彼は故郷を大切にしています。
He cherishes his hometown. (lit. He hometown cherishes.)
故郷の友達に会いたい。
I want to meet my friends from my hometown. (lit. Hometown's friends want-to-meet.)
いつか故郷に住みたい。
Someday I want to live in my hometown. (lit. Someday hometown in want-to-live.)
故郷の美味しい料理が恋しい。
I miss the delicious food from my hometown. (lit. Hometown's delicious food miss.)
故郷を離れて寂しいです。
I'm lonely after leaving my hometown. (lit. Hometown left lonely.)
彼の故郷の話を聞くのが好きです。
I like listening to stories about his hometown. (lit. His hometown's stories listening like.)
故郷は私の心のよりどころです。
My hometown is my spiritual home. (lit. Hometown is my heart's support.)
Redewendungen & Ausdrücke
"故郷に錦を飾る (kokyou ni nishiki o kazaru)"
To return home in glory; to achieve success and return to one's hometown.
彼は故郷に錦を飾るために、一生懸命働いた。 (He worked very hard to return home in glory.)
neutral"故郷を離れる (kokyou o hanareru)"
To leave one's hometown.
大学進学のため、故郷を離れることになった。 (I had to leave my hometown to go to university.)
neutral"故郷が恋しい (kokyou ga koishii)"
To miss one's hometown.
遠く離れて暮らしていると、故郷が恋しくなる。 (When living far away, I miss my hometown.)
neutral"故郷の味 (kokyou no aji)"
The taste of home; a nostalgic taste.
この料理を食べると、故郷の味を思い出す。 (Eating this dish reminds me of the taste of my hometown.)
neutral"故郷に帰る (kokyou ni kaeru)"
To return to one's hometown.
お盆休みには故郷に帰る人が多い。 (Many people return to their hometowns during the Obon holidays.)
neutral"故郷の訛り (kokyou no namari)"
Hometown accent; regional accent.
彼の故郷の訛りが懐かしい。 (His hometown accent is nostalgic.)
neutral"第二の故郷 (daini no kokyou)"
Second home.
留学していた街は、私にとって第二の故郷だ。 (The city where I studied abroad is a second home to me.)
neutral"故郷を思う (kokyou o omou)"
To think of one's hometown; to feel nostalgic for one's hometown.
旅先で夜空を見上げると、故郷を思う。 (When I look up at the night sky while traveling, I think of my hometown.)
neutral"故郷に骨を埋める (kokyou ni hone o umeru)"
To live and die in one's hometown.
彼は故郷に骨を埋める覚悟で、会社を辞めた。 (He quit his job with the resolve to live and die in his hometown.)
neutral"故郷を忘れない (kokyou o wasurenai)"
Not to forget one's hometown.
どんなに遠くに行っても、故郷を忘れないで。 (No matter how far you go, don't forget your hometown.)
neutralWortfamilie
Substantive
Tipps
Basic Meaning of '故郷'
The most common meaning of 故郷 (kokyō) is hometown or birthplace. It refers to the place where someone was born and raised, often with a sense of nostalgia or attachment.
Reading '故郷'
The kanji for 故郷 are 故 (ko), meaning 'reason' or 'circumstances,' and 郷 (kyō), meaning 'hometown' or 'village.' The standard reading is kokyō.
Using '故郷' in a Sentence
You can use 故郷 to talk about where you're from. For example: 私は故郷に帰りたいです。(Watashi wa kokyō ni kaeritai desu.) - I want to return to my hometown.
Expressing Nostalgia with '故郷'
故郷 often carries a feeling of nostalgia. You might hear: 故郷の味が恋しい。(Kokyō no aji ga koishii.) - I miss the taste of my hometown.
The Importance of '故郷' in Japanese Culture
In Japanese culture, 故郷 holds a significant emotional value. It's common to visit one's 故郷 during holidays like Obon or New Year's, a tradition called 帰省 (kisei).
Synonyms for '故郷'
While 故郷 is common, other words can also mean hometown, like 出身地 (shusshinchi), which is more factual about your place of origin, or simply 地元 (jimoto) for one's local area.
Avoid Direct Translation of 'Home'
Don't confuse 故郷 with 家 (uchi or ie), which means 'house' or 'home' in a more general sense of dwelling. 故郷 specifically refers to your place of origin.
Asking About Someone's '故郷'
To ask someone about their hometown, you could say: 故郷はどちらですか？ (Kokyō wa dochira desu ka?) - Where is your hometown?
Figurative Use of '故郷'
Sometimes, 故郷 can be used figuratively to refer to a place that feels like home or has a special significance, even if one wasn't born there. However, for A2 learners, focus on the literal meaning.
Practice with Personal Examples
Try to form a sentence about your own 故郷. For example, 私はアメリカのニューヨークが故郷です。(Watashi wa Amerika no Nyūyōku ga kokyō desu.) - My hometown is New York in America.
Einprägen
Eselsbrücke
Think of '故' as 'old' or 'previous' (like '故人' for 'deceased person'), and '郷' as 'countryside' or 'village'. So, 'old countryside' or 'previous village' can lead you to 'hometown'.
Visuelle Assoziation
Imagine a nostalgic, sepia-toned picture of your own hometown, with a warm feeling associated with it. Visualize the kanji 故郷 superimposed on this image.
Word Web
Herausforderung
Write a few sentences about your own hometown using 故郷. For example: 私の故郷は[Your Hometown]です。故郷の[something specific]が好きです。 (My hometown is [Your Hometown]. I like [something specific] about my hometown.)
Wortherkunft
Comes from the words '故 (ko)' meaning 'old, antiquity' and '郷 (kyou)' meaning 'countryside, village, home district'.
Ursprüngliche Bedeutung: The original meaning refers to an old village or home district, emphasizing a place of one's past.
Sino-Japanese (kan-on reading)Kultureller Kontext
故郷 (furusato) is a deeply nostalgic word in Japanese culture, often evoking feelings of warmth and longing for one's childhood home, rural landscapes, and familial roots. It's more than just a place; it represents a sense of belonging and identity. Many Japanese songs and stories revolve around the theme of returning to or remembering one's 故郷.
Teste dich selbst 120 Fragen
私の___は大阪です。
The sentence means 'My hometown is Osaka.' '故郷' (kokyou) means hometown.
彼は___に帰りたいと思っています。
The sentence means 'He wants to go back to his hometown.' '故郷' (kokyou) means hometown.
あなたの___はどこですか？
The sentence means 'Where is your hometown?' '故郷' (kokyou) means hometown.
私は___を思い出します。
The sentence means 'I remember my hometown.' '故郷' (kokyou) means hometown.
私の___はとても美しいです。
The sentence means 'My hometown is very beautiful.' '故郷' (kokyou) means hometown.
彼は___の友達に会いました。
The sentence means 'He met friends from his hometown.' '故郷' (kokyou) means hometown.
Which word means 'hometown'?
故郷 (kokyo) specifically refers to one's hometown or birthplace. The other options mean school, work, and family respectively.
Choose the correct reading for 故郷.
Both こきょう (kokyo) and ふるさと (furusato) are correct readings for 故郷, with ふるさと often carrying a more nostalgic nuance.
Which of these sentences correctly uses 故郷?
故郷 refers to a place, so it fits with 'Tokyo'. The other options incorrectly use 故郷 to describe a school, job, or family.
故郷 (kokyo) means 'friend'.
故郷 (kokyo) means 'hometown' or 'birthplace', not 'friend'. The word for friend is 友達 (tomodachi).
You can use 故郷 (furusato) to talk about the town where you grew up.
Yes, 故郷 (furusato) is often used to refer to the town or area where one grew up, carrying a feeling of nostalgia.
故郷 (kokyo) is commonly used to describe a new city you just moved to.
故郷 (kokyo) refers to your original hometown or birthplace, not a new city you've recently moved to. For a new city, you would use words like 新しい街 (atarashii machi - new town) or 引っ越し先 (hikkoshi saki - new place of residence).
Write a short sentence about where your hometown is. Use the word '故郷'.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
私の故郷は東京です。
Write a simple sentence saying 'I love my hometown.' using '故郷'.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
私は故郷が好きです。
Write a sentence saying 'My hometown is quiet.' using '故郷'.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
私の故郷は静かです。
What does the speaker like?
Read this passage:
これは私の故郷です。故郷はとてもきれいです。私は故郷が大好きです。
What does the speaker like?
The passage says '私は故郷が大好きです' which means 'I love my hometown very much.'
The passage says '私は故郷が大好きです' which means 'I love my hometown very much.'
What kind of place is the speaker's hometown?
Read this passage:
私の故郷は小さい町です。でも、おいしい食べ物があります。
What kind of place is the speaker's hometown?
The passage states '私の故郷は小さい町です' which translates to 'My hometown is a small town.'
The passage states '私の故郷は小さい町です' which translates to 'My hometown is a small town.'
Why does this person want to return to their hometown?
Read this passage:
この人は故郷に帰りたいです。故郷には家族がいます。
Why does this person want to return to their hometown?
The passage says '故郷には家族がいます' meaning 'There is family in their hometown.'
The passage says '故郷には家族がいます' meaning 'There is family in their hometown.'
This sentence means 'My hometown is a small town.' The particle 'の' connects '私' (I/my) and '故郷' (hometown). 'は' is a topic marker. '小さい' (small) describes '町' (town), and 'です' is a polite copula.
This sentence means 'He wants to go back to his hometown.' '彼' (he) is the subject, marked by 'は'. '故郷' (hometown) is the destination, marked by 'に'. '帰りたい' is the 'want to go back' form of '帰る' (to return).
This sentence means 'My hometown is Tokyo.' '私' (I/my) and '故郷' (hometown) are connected by 'の'. 'は' marks '私の故郷' as the topic. '東京' (Tokyo) is the noun, followed by 'です'.
私の___は北海道です。 (My ___ is Hokkaido.)
The sentence is about where someone is from, so '故郷' (hometown) fits best.
彼はいつも___の食べ物の話をする。 (He always talks about food from his ___.)
Talking about 'food from his hometown' makes the most sense in this context.
お盆には___に帰ります。 (During Obon, I return to my ___.)
It's common to return to one's '故郷' (hometown) during Obon.
___の景色はとてもきれいです。 (The scenery of my ___ is very beautiful.)
Describing the 'scenery of my hometown' fits the sentence well.
私は___で育ちました。 (I grew up in my ___.)
People grow up in their '故郷' (hometown).
彼女は___を離れて東京に来た。 (She left her ___ and came to Tokyo.)
Leaving one's '故郷' (hometown) to move to a big city like Tokyo is a common scenario.
This is a picture of my hometown.
My hometown is a small town.
I want to return to my hometown someday.
Read this aloud:
あなたの故郷はどこですか。
Focus: ko-kyo- wa do-ko de-su ka
Du hast gesagt:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
私は故郷が大好きです。
Focus: wa-ta-shi wa ko-kyo- ga dai-su-ki de-su
Du hast gesagt:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
故郷の食べ物が恋しいです。
Focus: ko-kyo- no ta-be-mo-no ga ko-i-shii de-su
Du hast gesagt:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Write a sentence describing your hometown. Use 故郷.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
私の故郷は小さいですが、とてもきれいです。 (My hometown is small, but very beautiful.)
Imagine you are meeting someone new. Write a sentence asking where their hometown is. Use 故郷.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
あなたの故郷はどこですか？ (Where is your hometown?)
Write a sentence about a memory you have from your hometown. Use 故郷.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
故郷にはたくさんの楽しい思い出があります。 (I have many fun memories from my hometown.)
この人はどこで生まれましたか？ (Where was this person born?)
Read this passage:
私は日本の小さい村で生まれました。そこは私の故郷です。毎年夏には、故郷に帰って家族と過ごします。故郷の食べ物が大好きです。
この人はどこで生まれましたか？ (Where was this person born?)
文章の最初の文に「日本の小さい村で生まれました」とあります。(The first sentence of the passage states, 'I was born in a small Japanese village.')
文章の最初の文に「日本の小さい村で生まれました」とあります。(The first sentence of the passage states, 'I was born in a small Japanese village.')
この人の故郷の特徴は何ですか？ (What is a characteristic of this person's hometown?)
Read this passage:
私の故郷は海に近いので、毎日新鮮な魚を食べることができます。友達もみんな故郷に住んでいます。故郷は私にとって特別な場所です。
この人の故郷の特徴は何ですか？ (What is a characteristic of this person's hometown?)
「私の故郷は海に近いので」と書いてあります。(It says, 'My hometown is close to the sea.')
「私の故郷は海に近いので」と書いてあります。(It says, 'My hometown is close to the sea.')
田中さんは今どこに住んでいますか？ (Where does Tanaka-san live now?)
Read this passage:
田中さんは東京に住んでいますが、彼の故郷は大阪です。彼は大阪のたこ焼きが一番好きだと言っています。休みの日にはよく故郷に帰ります。
田中さんは今どこに住んでいますか？ (Where does Tanaka-san live now?)
文章の最初の文に「田中さんは東京に住んでいます」とあります。(The first sentence of the passage states, 'Tanaka-san lives in Tokyo.')
文章の最初の文に「田中さんは東京に住んでいます」とあります。(The first sentence of the passage states, 'Tanaka-san lives in Tokyo.')
私の___は北海道です。 (My ___ is Hokkaido.)
The sentence is about where someone is from, making 'hometown' the correct fit.
長い間会っていない___の友人に連絡を取りました。 (I contacted a friend from my ___ whom I haven't seen in a long time.)
The sentence implies a long-standing friendship, often associated with one's hometown.
彼は毎年お盆には___に帰ります。 (He goes back to his ___ every Obon.)
Obon is a time when many Japanese people return to their ancestral homes or hometowns.
その歌は、遠く離れた___を思い出させます。 (That song reminds me of my distant ___.)
Songs often evoke nostalgic feelings about one's hometown, especially if they are far away.
彼女は___で静かに暮らしたいと思っています。 (She wants to live quietly in her ___.)
Wanting to live quietly often implies a desire to return to a familiar and peaceful place like one's hometown.
日本の多くの人々にとって、お正月は___で家族と過ごす大切な時間です。 (For many people in Japan, New Year's is an important time to spend with family in their ___.)
New Year's in Japan is traditionally a time for family reunions, often in one's hometown.
Choose the most appropriate word to complete the sentence: 彼の___は北海道で、毎年夏には帰省します。
The sentence talks about returning for the summer, which strongly suggests 'hometown' (故郷). '都市' means city, '家' means house, and '場所' means place.
Which sentence correctly uses 故郷?
故郷 refers to a specific place, a hometown or birthplace. The other sentences use 故郷 in a grammatically unnatural way or without the correct particle.
Select the sentence that best describes someone's feeling towards their 故郷.
故郷 often evokes feelings of nostalgia or longing. The other options describe general characteristics or events that aren't specific to the emotional connection with one's hometown.
故郷 is a word typically used to describe a place where someone lives currently.
故郷 refers to one's hometown or birthplace, not necessarily where they live now. It often implies a place they've left or remember fondly.
When talking about going back to your 故郷, you would often use the verb 帰省する (kisei suru).
帰省する specifically means to return to one's hometown, often for holidays or family visits, making it a natural fit when discussing returning to one's 故郷.
You can use 故郷 to refer to any city or town you like.
故郷 is specific to one's birthplace or the town where they grew up, not just any city or town they might find appealing.
Write a short paragraph (3-4 sentences) about your hometown in Japanese. Include details about what you like or miss about it. Use 故郷.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
私の故郷は小さい町です。美しい山と川があります。故郷の食べ物がとても好きです。時々、友達に会いに故郷に帰ります。
Imagine you are describing your ideal hometown to a friend. What kind of place is it? Use 故郷 in your description.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
私の理想の故郷は、静かで自然がたくさんある場所です。大きな図書館と美味しいパン屋さんがある故郷がいいです。そこで家族と幸せに暮らしたいです。
Write a sentence in Japanese about a famous landmark or characteristic of your hometown. Make sure to use 故郷.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
私の故郷には、古いお城があります。そのお城はとても有名です。
この人はどこで育ちましたか？
Read this passage:
私は日本の北の故郷で育ちました。冬は雪がたくさん降りますが、夏は涼しくてとても過ごしやすいです。故郷には美味しいお米と魚がたくさんあります。
この人はどこで育ちましたか？
パッセージの最初の文に「私は日本の北の故郷で育ちました」と書いてあります。
パッセージの最初の文に「私は日本の北の故郷で育ちました」と書いてあります。
この人が故郷で特に恋しくなるものは何ですか？
Read this passage:
私は故郷を離れて東京で働いています。東京の生活は便利ですが、時々故郷の自然が恋しくなります。特に、故郷の星空が忘れられません。
この人が故郷で特に恋しくなるものは何ですか？
パッセージに「時々故郷の自然が恋しくなります」と書いてあります。
パッセージに「時々故郷の自然が恋しくなります」と書いてあります。
田中さんの故郷はどのような気候ですか？
Read this passage:
A: 田中さんの故郷はどこですか？ B: 私の故郷は沖縄です。暖かいので、冬でも過ごしやすいですよ。 A: いいですね！私も一度沖縄に行ってみたいです。
田中さんの故郷はどのような気候ですか？
Bさんの返答に「暖かいので、冬でも過ごしやすいですよ」とあります。
Bさんの返答に「暖かいので、冬でも過ごしやすいですよ」とあります。
This sentence means 'My hometown is Hokkaido.' The particles 'の' (no) and 'は' (wa) connect the words to form a coherent sentence.
This sentence means 'He says he wants to return to his hometown.' The particle 'に' (ni) indicates direction, and 'たい' (tai) expresses desire.
This sentence means 'I went to my hometown to visit during summer vacation.' 'へ' (e) indicates direction, and 'に' (ni) indicates purpose.
彼女はいつも___を懐かしんでいます。
文脈から、懐かしむ対象として「故郷」が最も適切です。
長い間海外に住んでいても、彼の心には常に___の風景がありました。
海外にいても心にあるのは「故郷」の風景が自然です。
お盆には多くの人が___に帰省します。
お盆に帰るのは「故郷」が一般的です。
彼は___の訛りが残っていて、すぐにどこの出身か分かります。
出身が分かるのは「故郷」の訛りがあるからです。
いつか___に錦を飾って帰りたいと彼は言いました。
「錦を飾る」という慣用句は「故郷」に成功して帰ることを指します。
彼の小説には、いつも___の思い出が色濃く描かれています。
小説に描かれる個人的な思い出としては「故郷」が自然です。
Choose the most appropriate word to complete the sentence: 彼は自分の___をいつも懐かしく思っている。
The sentence means 'He always thinks fondly of his hometown.' '故郷' (kokyou) means 'hometown' or 'birthplace', which fits the context perfectly. The other options '職場' (shokuba - workplace), '学校' (gakkō - school), and '趣味' (shumi - hobby) do not make sense in this context.
Which of the following sentences correctly uses '故郷'?
The sentence '私の故郷は美しい山々に囲まれています。' (Watashi no kokyō wa utsukushii yama-yama ni kakomarete imasu.) means 'My hometown is surrounded by beautiful mountains,' which is a natural and correct use of '故郷'. The other options are nonsensical: '彼は故郷で新しい本を読みました。' (He read a new book in his hometown - grammatically correct but doesn't test understanding of the word itself), '故郷は毎日食べるものです。' (Hometown is something you eat every day - incorrect), and '私たちは故郷を修理しました。' (We repaired our hometown - incorrect).
Select the sentence that best describes a common feeling associated with '故郷'.
The sentence '故郷を離れても、心の奥にはいつも温かい思い出がある。' (Kokyō o hanarete mo, kokoro no oku ni wa itsumo atatakai omoide ga aru.) means 'Even if you leave your hometown, there are always warm memories deep in your heart.' This accurately reflects the nostalgic and affectionate feelings often associated with one's hometown. The other options present negative or unrealistic views of a hometown.
'故郷' can refer to a place where you currently live and have no emotional attachment to.
'故郷' specifically refers to one's hometown or birthplace, a place with which there is typically a strong emotional connection, often of nostalgia or affection. It's not just any place you live.
When someone says '故郷に帰る', it typically means they are returning to their place of origin or the town they grew up in.
'故郷に帰る' (kokyō ni kaeru) literally means 'to return to one's hometown'. This phrase inherently implies returning to the place of one's origin or where one spent their formative years.
The word '故郷' can be used interchangeably with '会社' (kaisha - company) when talking about one's place of employment.
'故郷' (hometown/birthplace) and '会社' (company/workplace) have completely different meanings and are not interchangeable. '故郷' is about personal origin and attachment, while '会社' is about professional environment.
あなたの故郷について、その場所の最も好きなところを3つ挙げてください。どんな思い出がありますか？
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
私の故郷は北海道の小さな町です。一番好きなところは、冬の雪景色が美しいことです。毎年冬には家族とスキーに行っていました。二つ目は、新鮮な海の幸が豊富なことです。特にウニは絶品で、帰省するたびに必ず食べます。三つ目は、温かい人々です。困っている人がいれば、すぐに助けてくれる人情深いところが好きです。故郷にはたくさんの良い思い出があります。
故郷を離れて暮らすことについて、良い点と難しい点をそれぞれ一つずつ挙げてください。
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
故郷を離れて暮らすことの良い点は、新しい文化や価値観に触れることができることです。例えば、東京に出てきて、様々な地方出身の人々と出会い、視野が広がりました。難しい点は、やはり家族や友人になかなか会えないことです。特に困った時や寂しい時に、すぐに会えないのは辛いですね。
もし故郷に何か新しいものを一つ作れるとしたら、何を建てますか？その理由も説明してください。
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
もし故郷に何か新しいものを一つ作れるとしたら、私は多機能なコミュニティセンターを建てたいです。そこには図書館、カフェ、イベントスペースなどがあり、老若男女が交流できる場所になればと思います。特に、若い世代が減っている故郷で、人々が繋がり、活気を取り戻すきっかけになればと願っています。
佐藤さんが故郷に帰省する主な理由として、本文から読み取れることは何ですか？
Read this passage:
佐藤さんは東京で働いていますが、毎年お盆には必ず故郷に帰省します。故郷の小さな駅に降り立つと、子どもの頃の思い出がよみがえってきます。実家で食べる母の手料理は、何よりも楽しみな時間です。そして、昔からの友人と会って語り合うのも、故郷に帰る大きな理由の一つです。
佐藤さんが故郷に帰省する主な理由として、本文から読み取れることは何ですか？
本文に「実家で食べる母の手料理は、何よりも楽しみな時間です。そして、昔からの友人と会って語り合うのも、故郷に帰る大きな理由の一つです。」と明記されています。
本文に「実家で食べる母の手料理は、何よりも楽しみな時間です。そして、昔からの友人と会って語り合うのも、故郷に帰る大きな理由の一つです。」と明記されています。
筆者は、故郷に対してどのような感情を抱いていますか？
Read this passage:
私の故郷は海に面した小さな漁村です。夏には海水浴客で賑わい、冬は静かで、雪が降ると一面銀世界になります。若い頃は、都会への憧れが強く、大学進学を機に故郷を離れました。しかし、歳を重ねるごとに、故郷の温かさや自然の美しさが恋しくなります。いつか、故郷に戻ってゆっくりと暮らしたいと思っています。
筆者は、故郷に対してどのような感情を抱いていますか？
本文に「若い頃は、都会への憧れが強く、大学進学を機に故郷を離れました。しかし、歳を重ねるごとに、故郷の温かさや自然の美しさが恋しくなります。」と書かれています。
本文に「若い頃は、都会への憧れが強く、大学進学を機に故郷を離れました。しかし、歳を重ねるごとに、故郷の温かさや自然の美しさが恋しくなります。」と書かれています。
筆者が故郷の何に対して特に強い思い入れを持っていることが分かりますか？
Read this passage:
故郷を離れて30年。今では東京での生活がすっかり板についていますが、それでも時々、故郷の風景や香りがふと頭をよぎることがあります。特に、故郷でしか味わえない祭りの雰囲気は忘れられません。年に一度のその祭りには、遠く離れていても、やはり心が惹かれます。
筆者が故郷の何に対して特に強い思い入れを持っていることが分かりますか？
本文に「特に、故郷でしか味わえない祭りの雰囲気は忘れられません。年に一度のその祭りには、遠く離れていても、やはり心が惹かれます。」とあります。
本文に「特に、故郷でしか味わえない祭りの雰囲気は忘れられません。年に一度のその祭りには、遠く離れていても、やはり心が惹かれます。」とあります。
彼は___を離れて都会で成功を収めた。
文脈から、彼が都会で成功する前に離れた場所は「故郷」（hometown）が最も適切です。
毎年お盆には___に帰り、家族と過ごします。
お盆に家族と過ごすために帰る場所は、「故郷」（hometown）が自然な表現です。
彼女は___を離れて長いが、心はいつもそこにある。
「心はいつもそこにある」という表現から、物理的に離れていても精神的に結びついている場所は「故郷」（hometown）です。
この祭りは私の___で何世紀も前から続いています。
「何世紀も前から続いている祭り」がある場所として、「故郷」（hometown）が適しています。
彼は多忙な日々を送る中で、時々___の風景を懐かしむ。
「懐かしむ」という感情から、個人的な思い出のある場所である「故郷」（hometown）が適切です。
___の友人たちとは、今でも年賀状のやり取りをしています。
年賀状のやり取りをする友人たちは「故郷」（hometown）にいる友人たちと解釈するのが自然です。
Choose the most appropriate word to complete the sentence: 彼は自分の___をいつも懐かしく思っている。
The sentence expresses nostalgia, which is most commonly associated with one's hometown (故郷). '職場' (workplace), '学校' (school), and '趣味' (hobby) do not fit the context of '懐かしく思っている' (feeling nostalgic).
Which of the following sentences correctly uses 故郷?
故郷 refers to one's hometown or birthplace. '故郷の味が忘れられない' (I can't forget the taste of my hometown) is a natural and common expression. Options A, B, and D misuse the word. Tokyo Tower is a landmark, not a hometown. You don't buy shoes 'from' a hometown in this context, and a hometown does not 'open' like a park.
Select the sentence where 故郷 is used with the most appropriate nuance.
故郷 often carries a nuance of tranquility, nature, or a simpler life, especially when contrasted with city life. '故郷は都会の喧騒から離れた静かな場所だ' (My hometown is a quiet place away from the hustle and bustle of the city) perfectly captures this sentiment. The other options describe modern, busy, or developing areas, which might be true of some hometowns, but don't align with the common nostalgic or peaceful nuance associated with the word 故郷 in Japanese culture.
「彼は故郷を後にした」という文は、「彼は故郷に戻った」という意味である。
「故郷を後にする」means 'to leave one's hometown,' not 'to return to one's hometown.'
故郷という言葉は、生まれた場所だけでなく、育った場所も指すことがある。
Yes, 故郷 can refer to both the place one was born and the place one grew up, even if they are different.
「故郷の駅」という表現は、「駅が故郷である」という意味を持つ。
「故郷の駅」 means 'the station in my hometown' or 'my hometown station,' not that the station itself is the hometown. It indicates possession or association.
The speaker is talking about someone returning to their hometown.
The speaker mentions people leaving their hometown.
The speaker is talking about a festival in a hometown.
Read this aloud:
故郷の思い出について話してください。
Focus: こきょう (kokyō)
Du hast gesagt:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
もし故郷が恋しくなったら、何をしますか？
Focus: こいしく (koishiku)
Du hast gesagt:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
故郷の発展のために、どのような貢献ができると思いますか？
Focus: はってん (hatten)
Du hast gesagt:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
It's been ten years since I left my hometown.
The festivals of my hometown still remain in my heart.
He wants to contribute to the development of his hometown.
Read this aloud:
いつか故郷に錦を飾るのが私の夢です。
Focus: 故郷 (こきょう)
Du hast gesagt:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
故郷の味が恋しくなることがあります。
Focus: 恋しくなる (こいしくなる)
Du hast gesagt:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
故郷の言葉を話す時、心が安らぎます。
Focus: 安らぎます (やすらぎます)
Du hast gesagt:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Imagine you're writing a short story. Describe a character's strong emotional connection to their hometown, using the word 故郷. Focus on sensory details and how their hometown shaped who they are. Aim for three to four sentences.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
彼にとって、故郷は単なる生まれた場所ではなかった。それは、幼い頃の冒険、家族との温かい食卓、そして初めて夢を抱いた聖域だった。その土の匂い、風の音、遠くに見える山の形が、彼の心に深く刻み込まれており、彼の人格形成に不可欠なものとなっていた。故郷を離れて長い時間が経っても、その記憶は色褪せることなく、彼を支え続けていた。
You are writing a personal essay reflecting on how your hometown has changed over the years. Discuss both positive and negative transformations, and how these changes affect your perception of your 故郷 now. Write two to three sentences.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
私の故郷は、昔ながらの商店街が消え、新しい商業施設が立ち並ぶことで大きく様変わりした。利便性は増したものの、かつての温かいコミュニティの雰囲気が失われたことは、少し寂しさを感じさせる。それでも、この変化こそが故郷の生命力であり、未来へと続く道のりなのだと、今は受け入れている。
Write a short, formal paragraph (two to three sentences) for a travel guide describing a famous person's 故郷. Highlight what makes their birthplace special and worth visiting. Use 故郷 appropriately in a formal context.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
この地は、著名な文学者の故郷として知られ、彼の作品に登場する風景が今も色濃く残っています。彼の生家は記念館として保存され、多くの訪問者が彼の足跡を辿ります。文学愛好家にとって、彼の故郷を訪れることは、作品世界への理解を深める貴重な経験となるでしょう。
Aさんが故郷に戻った主な理由は何ですか？
Read this passage:
Aさんは、都会での成功を夢見て故郷を離れた。しかし、数年後、彼は故郷の美しい自然と温かい人々の交流が忘れられず、Uターンを決意した。故郷に戻った彼は、地域活性化のために尽力し、多くの人々に影響を与えた。彼の故郷への深い愛着が、新たな人生を切り開いたのである。
Aさんが故郷に戻った主な理由は何ですか？
文章中に「彼は故郷の美しい自然と温かい人々の交流が忘れられず、Uターンを決意した」と明記されています。
文章中に「彼は故郷の美しい自然と温かい人々の交流が忘れられず、Uターンを決意した」と明記されています。
Bさんは故郷の大きな変化について、どのように考えていますか？
Read this passage:
Bさんの故郷は、経済発展の波に乗り、かつての面影はほとんどなくなってしまった。古い家屋は取り壊され、高層ビルが立ち並び、彼の記憶の中にある風景とは大きく異なっていた。それでも、彼は故郷が持つ独自の文化や精神は変わらないと信じている。彼は、この変化の中で、故郷の新しい魅力を探そうと決意した。
Bさんは故郷の大きな変化について、どのように考えていますか？
「それでも、彼は故郷が持つ独自の文化や精神は変わらないと信じている。彼は、この変化の中で、故郷の新しい魅力を探そうと決意した。」という記述から判断できます。
「それでも、彼は故郷が持つ独自の文化や精神は変わらないと信じている。彼は、この変化の中で、故郷の新しい魅力を探そうと決意した。」という記述から判断できます。
Cさんにとって、故郷はどのような意味を持つ場所ですか？
Read this passage:
Cさんは、海外で長年暮らしているが、毎年必ず故郷に帰省する。彼にとって、故郷は単なる地理的な場所ではなく、自身のルーツを確認し、家族や友人との絆を再確認する大切な場所だ。故郷の祭りや伝統行事に参加することで、彼は自身のアイデンティティを再構築している。故郷が彼に与える影響は計り知れない。
Cさんにとって、故郷はどのような意味を持つ場所ですか？
「彼にとって、故郷は単なる地理的な場所ではなく、自身のルーツを確認し、家族や友人との絆を再確認する大切な場所だ。」と具体的に書かれています。
「彼にとって、故郷は単なる地理的な場所ではなく、自身のルーツを確認し、家族や友人との絆を再確認する大切な場所だ。」と具体的に書かれています。
This sentence describes someone choosing to live quietly in their hometown, away from city noise. The particles and verb endings guide the order.
This sentence talks about people leaving their hometown for economic reasons and moving to urban areas. The structure follows a common pattern of subject, reason, action, and destination.
This sentence conveys the sentiment that feelings for one's hometown never fade, no matter how far one goes. The phrasing emphasizes the enduring nature of such feelings.
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Summary
故郷 (furusato) is the Japanese word for hometown or birthplace, conveying a sense of emotional attachment and origin.
- 故郷 (furusato) means hometown or birthplace.
- It carries a sense of nostalgia and emotional connection.
- Often used when talking about where you grew up.
Basic Meaning of '故郷'
The most common meaning of 故郷 (kokyō) is hometown or birthplace. It refers to the place where someone was born and raised, often with a sense of nostalgia or attachment.
Reading '故郷'
The kanji for 故郷 are 故 (ko), meaning 'reason' or 'circumstances,' and 郷 (kyō), meaning 'hometown' or 'village.' The standard reading is kokyō.
Using '故郷' in a Sentence
You can use 故郷 to talk about where you're from. For example: 私は故郷に帰りたいです。(Watashi wa kokyō ni kaeritai desu.) - I want to return to my hometown.
Expressing Nostalgia with '故郷'
故郷 often carries a feeling of nostalgia. You might hear: 故郷の味が恋しい。(Kokyō no aji ga koishii.) - I miss the taste of my hometown.
Beispiel
彼は故郷を懐かしく思った。
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