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A1 noun #23 よく出る 13分で読める

lease

上位23

At the A1 level, a lease is simply a paper you sign when you want to live in an apartment. It is a 'house contract.' You pay money every month, and the lease says you can stay there. For example, 'I have a one-year lease for my room.' It is important to know that a lease is for a long time, like 12 months. If you only stay for one night in a hotel, you do not have a lease. You use this word when you move to a new home. You might say, 'Where is the lease?' or 'I need to sign the lease.' It is a very common word for people who are renting a place to live. You should remember that a lease is a noun—it is the thing you sign. You can also use it as a verb, but at A1, focus on it as the document. It helps you have a home.

At the A2 level, you understand that a lease is a formal agreement. It's not just for houses; you can also have a lease for a car. When you lease a car, you pay the dealership every month to drive it, but you don't own it. After two or three years, you give the car back. A lease has rules. For example, a house lease might say 'no pets' or 'no loud music.' If you break these rules, you might have to leave. You will hear phrases like 'sign a lease' or 'the lease ends in June.' It is more formal than just 'renting.' When you rent a movie, it's for one night. When you have a lease, it's a serious commitment for a long time. You should know that 'lease' is a countable noun, so you can say 'I am looking at two different leases today.'

At the B1 level, you should be familiar with the specific terms found within a lease. A lease is a legal contract between a landlord (the owner) and a tenant (the person living there). It includes details like the security deposit, which is money you pay at the start to cover any future damages. You might also hear about 'renewing a lease,' which means signing a new contract to stay longer when the old one finishes. B1 learners should know that breaking a lease—leaving before the contract ends—usually costs a lot of money as a penalty. You can use 'lease' in more complex sentences, such as 'The terms of the lease are quite strict regarding renovations.' It is also used in business for office equipment like printers or large computers. This level involves understanding the responsibilities that come with a lease.

At the B2 level, 'lease' is used in professional and financial contexts. You should understand the difference between a residential lease and a commercial lease. Commercial leases are for businesses and are often much longer, sometimes lasting 5, 10, or 20 years. You will encounter collocations like 'leasehold,' which refers to the right to hold property by lease. You should also be able to discuss the nuances of 'leasing' as a financial strategy. For example, a company might lease its fleet of trucks to keep its balance sheet clean. At this level, you can use the word in idiomatic expressions like 'a new lease on life,' meaning a fresh start or renewed energy. You should also be comfortable with the passive voice: 'The lease was terminated due to a breach of contract.'

At the C1 level, you should be able to navigate the legal and technical complexities of a lease. This includes understanding clauses like 'subletting,' 'assignment,' and 'indemnification.' A C1 learner knows that a lease is a conveyance of an estate in real property. You might discuss 'ground leases,' where a tenant leases the land but owns the building on top of it. You should be able to analyze the implications of 'lease-to-own' agreements, where a portion of the lease payments goes toward the eventual purchase of the property. The vocabulary becomes more specialized, involving terms like 'lessor' and 'lessee.' You can use the word in high-level debates about urban planning or corporate finance, such as 'The city's long-term lease of public land to private developers has sparked significant controversy.'

At the C2 level, you possess a near-native understanding of 'lease' in all its legal, historical, and metaphorical applications. You can distinguish between 'operating leases' and 'finance leases' in international accounting standards (like IFRS 16). You understand the historical evolution of leases from feudal land tenure systems to modern contractual law. You can use the term in highly nuanced ways, such as discussing the 'perpetual lease' systems in certain jurisdictions or the 'lease-back' arrangements used in complex corporate tax strategies. Your use of the word is precise, whether you are drafting a legal brief, discussing the socio-economic impact of 99-year leases in post-colonial contexts, or using the word metaphorically in sophisticated literature. You understand the subtle differences between a 'lease,' a 'license,' and an 'easement' in property law.

練習する例文メモとヒント

lease 30秒で

A lease is a formal contract used for renting property or equipment over a fixed period of time, ensuring legal protection for both parties.
Commonly applied to apartments and cars, a lease defines how much you pay and what rules you must follow while using the asset.
Unlike a casual rental, a lease is usually long-term and carries penalties if you try to end the agreement before the specified date.
Key terms associated with a lease include the lessor (owner), lessee (user), security deposit, and the expiration date of the agreement.

A lease is a formal, legally binding document that outlines the terms under which one party agrees to rent property owned by another party. It is most commonly associated with real estate, such as apartments, houses, or commercial office spaces, but it also applies to high-value equipment like cars, industrial machinery, or even aircraft. When you enter into a lease, you are essentially purchasing the right to use something for a specific period without actually owning the asset itself. This distinction is crucial in financial and legal contexts because it defines the responsibilities of both the owner (the lessor) and the user (the lessee).

The Legal Framework: A lease acts as a protective shield for both parties. For the tenant, it guarantees a place to live or work for a fixed duration at a fixed price. For the landlord, it ensures a steady stream of income and provides legal recourse if the property is damaged or if payments are missed.

Before moving into the studio, Sarah spent an hour carefully reading every page of the lease to ensure there were no hidden fees.

In everyday life, people use the word 'lease' when they are making significant life transitions. Moving to a new city often involves signing a residential lease. Starting a small business usually requires a commercial lease. Even getting a new vehicle often involves a car lease rather than a direct purchase. The word carries a weight of commitment; unlike a casual 'rental' which might be day-to-day or week-to-week, a lease implies a longer duration, typically six months, a year, or even decades in commercial settings.

Commercial Context: In the business world, a lease is a strategic financial tool. Companies often lease equipment to keep their cash flow flexible, allowing them to upgrade to newer technology without the burden of owning obsolete hardware.

The tech startup decided to take out a five-year lease on a downtown office space to accommodate their growing team.

Understanding a lease requires familiarity with its components: the term (length of time), the consideration (rent amount), the security deposit, and the restrictive covenants (rules about pets, noise, or alterations). Because it is a legal document, the language used within a lease can be dense, often referred to as 'legalese,' which is why professionals often recommend having a lawyer review a lease before signing.

The landlord warned that any violation of the lease terms could result in immediate eviction.

Ending a Lease: Terminating a lease early often incurs penalties. This is known as 'breaking the lease.' Conversely, when a lease ends naturally, parties may choose to 'renew the lease' for another term.

With only three months left on her car lease, Maria started looking at newer models to drive next.

The expiration of the ground lease meant that the building owners had to renegotiate with the landholders.

Using the word 'lease' correctly involves understanding its role as a countable noun. You can have 'a lease,' 'two leases,' or 'the lease.' It is frequently paired with specific verbs that describe the lifecycle of a legal agreement. For instance, you 'sign' a lease to start it, 'hold' a lease while you are using the property, and 'terminate' or 'expire' a lease when it ends. In professional writing, you might 'execute' a lease, which is a formal way of saying both parties have signed and the agreement is now active.

Common Verb Pairings: Common verbs include: sign, renew, extend, break, terminate, negotiate, and grant. Each of these describes a different stage of the contractual relationship.

The company decided to renew the lease for another five years to avoid the costs of moving.

Prepositions are also vital. You are 'on a lease' or 'under a lease.' If you are the one paying, you 'take out a lease.' If you are the owner, you 'grant a lease.' When discussing the duration, we say 'a 12-month lease' or 'a long-term lease.' Notice how the duration acts as an adjective before the noun. In more complex sentences, 'lease' can be part of a compound noun, such as 'lease agreement,' 'lease term,' or 'lease payment.'

Adjective Usage: Adjectives often used with lease include: residential, commercial, binding, expired, flexible, and short-term. These provide specific details about the nature of the contract.

The residential lease clearly states that no pets are allowed on the premises.

In academic or legal writing, the word 'lease' is often used in the passive voice to emphasize the property rather than the people. For example, 'The lease was signed in triplicate' or 'The lease is governed by the laws of the state.' This formal tone is appropriate for official reports, legal disputes, or business documentation. In contrast, in casual conversation, you might say 'My lease is up,' meaning the contract period has ended and you need to move or renew.

After the merger, the new entity inherited the lease for the warehouse in Chicago.

Pluralization: The plural form is 'leases.' It is used when referring to multiple contracts, such as a property manager who oversees dozens of individual leases.

The real estate agent managed over fifty leases across three different apartment complexes.

The lease explicitly forbids subletting without prior written consent from the landlord.

The word 'lease' is a staple of adult life, appearing in various environments from the mundane to the highly professional. You will most frequently encounter it in the context of housing. If you are looking for an apartment, the landlord or leasing agent will inevitably hand you a 'lease agreement.' In this setting, the word represents your right to a home. You'll hear it in leasing offices, during tours of rental properties, and in discussions with roommates about how to split the security deposit required by the lease.

Real Estate Offices: In real estate, 'leasing' is a whole department. Agents focus specifically on finding tenants and finalizing leases rather than selling properties.

The leasing agent explained that the lease included water and trash services but not electricity.

Another common place is the car dealership. When browsing for a new vehicle, a salesperson will often ask, 'Are you looking to buy or lease?' In this context, 'lease' refers to a specific financial product where you pay for the car's depreciation over three years and then return it. You'll hear terms like 'lease-end inspection,' 'mileage limits on the lease,' and 'lease buyout.' It is a very common way for people to drive newer, more expensive cars for a lower monthly payment than a traditional loan.

Business and Finance: In corporate settings, 'lease' appears in discussions about 'capital leases' versus 'operating leases.' These are accounting terms that affect how a company's debt and assets appear on their balance sheets.

During the quarterly meeting, the CFO mentioned that the lease on the server farm was up for renegotiation.

You will also hear 'lease' in legal dramas or news reports concerning property disputes. If a famous store is closing, the news might report that 'the landlord refused to renew the lease.' In the world of art and museums, 'long-term leases' allow institutions to display famous works that they do not own. Even in the oil and gas industry, companies 'lease' mineral rights from landowners to drill for resources. The word is ubiquitous because the concept of temporary, legal use of property is fundamental to modern economics.

The local bookstore had to close because the lease doubled in price overnight.

Government and Land: Governments often grant '99-year leases' for land use, a common practice in places like Hong Kong or for embassy buildings globally.

The embassy sits on land held under a ninety-nine-year lease from the host nation.

The farmer signed a lease to allow the wind energy company to place turbines on his north field.

One of the most frequent mistakes learners make is confusing the noun 'lease' with the verb 'rent.' While they are related, they are not always interchangeable. A 'lease' is the document or the contract itself. You cannot 'pay your lease' in the same way you 'pay your rent.' You pay the rent *stipulated in* the lease. If you say 'I need to pay my lease,' a native speaker will understand you, but it is technically incorrect. You should say 'I need to pay my rent' or 'I need to make my lease payment.'

Lease vs. Rent: 'Rent' is the money; 'Lease' is the contract. You sign a lease, and you pay rent.

Incorrect: I forgot to pay my lease this month.
Correct: I forgot to pay my rent this month.

Another common error involves the prepositions used with 'lease.' Learners often say 'a lease of the house' when they should say 'a lease for the house' or 'the lease on the house.' Furthermore, when a lease ends, people sometimes say 'my lease is finished.' While understandable, the more natural and professional phrasing is 'my lease is up' or 'my lease has expired.' Using 'finished' sounds a bit like you completed a task, whereas 'expired' or 'up' refers to the time limit of the contract.

Confusing the Parties: Mistaking the 'lessor' for the 'lessee' is a common legal error. The lessor is the owner (landlord), and the lessee is the tenant. A simple trick: 'Lessee' ends in 'ee' like 'employee' (the one receiving the service/job).

The lessee (tenant) is responsible for keeping the apartment clean according to the contract.

Spelling can also be a hurdle. Because of the 'ea' sound, some learners spell it 'leese' or 'leas.' It is important to remember the 'e' at the end: L-E-A-S-E. Also, when turning it into a verb in the past tense, it becomes 'leased,' not 'leasied.' In the context of car leasing, people often confuse 'leasing' with 'financing.' Financing means you are paying to eventually own the car; leasing means you are paying to use it and will return it. Mixing these up at a dealership can lead to very different financial outcomes.

He thought he was buying the car, but he had actually signed a three-year lease.

The 'New Lease on Life' Trap: Don't use this idiom in a literal legal sense. It is purely metaphorical. You wouldn't say 'The building got a new lease on life' unless you mean it was renovated and feels new, not that it literally got a new contract.

After his heart surgery, John felt like he had a new lease on life.

The lease agreement was voided because the landlord failed to provide running water.

While 'lease' is a specific legal term, several other words share its semantic space. Understanding the nuances between them will help you choose the right word for the right situation. The most common alternative is 'rental agreement.' Generally, a rental agreement is more flexible and often operates on a month-to-month basis, whereas a lease is for a fixed, longer term. If you are staying in an Airbnb for a week, you have a rental, not a lease. If you are moving into an apartment for a year, you have a lease.

Lease vs. Rental Agreement: A lease is long-term (6-12+ months) and stable. A rental agreement is short-term (30 days) and can usually be changed with short notice.

The lease provides more security than a month-to-month rental agreement because the rent cannot be raised for a year.

Another related term is 'tenancy.' Tenancy refers to the state of being a tenant. You might hear about 'joint tenancy' (living with others) or 'tenancy at will' (living there as long as both parties agree). In the UK, 'tenancy agreement' is the standard term for what Americans call a 'residential lease.' Then there is 'sublease' or 'sublet.' This happens when a person who already has a lease (the lessee) rents the property out to someone else. This is common among students who go home for the summer but don't want to keep paying for an empty room.

Lease vs. Deed: A 'deed' is a document that proves you own the property. A 'lease' proves you have the right to use it. They are opposites in terms of ownership.

Since he couldn't afford to buy the building and get the deed, he opted for a long-term commercial lease.

In business, you might encounter the term 'indenture.' While historically used for many types of contracts, including those for servants, today it is occasionally used in finance for certain types of long-term leases or bond agreements. However, 'lease' remains the most common and versatile term. When talking about equipment, 'hire' is often used in British English (e.g., 'car hire' vs 'car lease'). In the US, 'hire' is almost exclusively used for people (employment), while 'lease' or 'rent' is used for things.

The sublease allowed the student to move out early without breaking her original contract.

Legal Synonyms: In legal filings, you might see 'demise' used to refer to the granting of a lease, though this is archaic and rarely used in modern business English.

The tenancy agreement in London was fifty pages long and covered every possible scenario.

They decided to lease the copier instead of buying it to ensure they always had the latest model.

How Formal Is It?

フォーマル

ニュートラル

カジュアル

Child friendly

スラング

豆知識

The word 'lax' (as in relaxed) and 'lease' share the same Latin root 'laxare.' When you lease something, you are 'loosening' the owner's control over it for a while!

発音ガイド

UK /liːs/

US /lis/

Single syllable, so the stress is on the entire word.

韻が合う語

peace piece niece geese fleece crease grease cease

よくある間違い

Pronouncing it as 'leez' (with a Z sound). It should be a soft S.
Confusing the vowel sound with 'less'. It must be a long 'ee'.
Adding an extra syllable like 'lee-uh-se'.
Mixing it up with 'leash' (the dog rope).
Failing to pronounce the final 's' clearly.

難易度

読解 2/5

Easy to recognize in text, but legal versions can be very hard.

ライティング 3/5

Spelling 'lease' is often confused with 'leese' or 'leas'.

スピーキング 2/5

Simple to say, just remember the soft 's' sound.

リスニング 2/5

Clear sound, but don't confuse it with 'leash'.

次に学ぶべきこと

前提知識

rent house sign paper money

次に学ぶ

contract agreement tenant landlord deposit

上級

lessor lessee indemnification covenant arbitration

知っておくべき文法

Countable Nouns

I have two leases (one for my car and one for my home).

Passive Voice in Legal English

The lease was signed by both parties on June 1st.

Prepositional Phrases

You are 'under' a lease or 'on' a lease.

Compound Nouns

The 'lease agreement' is a common way to use the word.

Gerunds as Subjects

Renewing a lease is often easier than finding a new place.

レベル別の例文

I need to sign the lease for my new apartment.

I must sign the paper for my home.

Noun: 'the lease'

Is this a one-year lease?

Is the contract for 12 months?

Compound noun: 'one-year lease'

My lease starts in January.

The contract begins in the first month.

Subject of the sentence.

The lease is on the table.

The paper is on the furniture.

Definite article 'the'.

I don't have a lease yet.

I do not have the paper now.

Negative sentence with 'a lease'.

Please read the lease carefully.

Look at the paper slowly and well.

Imperative sentence.

The lease says no pets.

The paper says no dogs or cats.

Lease as an active subject.

How much is the lease?

What is the price of the contract?

Question form.

He took out a lease on a small blue car.

He got a contract to drive a car.

Phrasal verb 'take out a lease'.

The lease expires at the end of the month.

The contract finishes soon.

Verb 'expires' used with lease.

We have a joint lease for this house.

We share the contract.

Adjective 'joint'.

Can I see a copy of the lease?

Can I have a second paper?

Noun phrase 'copy of the lease'.

The lease agreement is five pages long.

The contract has many pages.

Compound noun 'lease agreement'.

They decided to renew their lease.

They want to stay longer.

Infinitive 'to renew'.

Is there a lease for the office equipment?

Is there a contract for the printer?

Preposition 'for'.

The lease prohibits smoking inside.

The paper says no cigarettes.

Formal verb 'prohibits'.

Breaking the lease will cost us two months' rent.

Leaving early is expensive.

Gerund 'Breaking the lease' as subject.

The landlord and tenant both signed the lease.

Both people wrote their names.

Plural subjects.

She negotiated a shorter lease because she might move.

She talked to get a better time.

Verb 'negotiated'.

The lease specifies who is responsible for repairs.

The paper says who fixes things.

Verb 'specifies'.

Our lease includes a clause about noise levels.

The paper has a rule for loud sounds.

Noun 'clause'.

He has a leasehold interest in the property.

He has the right to use the land.

Technical term 'leasehold'.

The car lease has a limit of 10,000 miles per year.

You cannot drive too much.

Possessive 'car lease'.

You should check the lease before painting the walls.

Read the paper before you change colors.

Modal 'should'.

The commercial lease was signed for a ten-year term.

The business contract is for a long time.

Passive voice 'was signed'.

The lease stipulates that the tenant must pay for insurance.

The contract requires insurance.

Verb 'stipulates'.

They are currently operating under a month-to-month lease.

The contract changes every 30 days.

Prepositional phrase 'under a... lease'.

The company's new lease on life came after the investment.

The company felt new and strong.

Idiom 'new lease on life'.

A breach of lease can lead to legal action.

Breaking the rules is bad.

Noun phrase 'breach of lease'.

The lease allows for an annual rent increase.

The price can go up every year.

Phrasal verb 'allows for'.

We need to find a way to terminate the lease early.

We want to stop the contract now.

Infinitive 'to terminate'.

The lease covers the building but not the parking lot.

The paper is for the house only.

Verb 'covers'.

The lease contains an option to purchase the property.

The contract lets you buy it later.

Noun 'option'.

The ground lease is set to expire in twenty years.

The land contract will end later.

Specific term 'ground lease'.

The leasehold improvements were valued at one million dollars.

The changes to the building are expensive.

Compound term 'leasehold improvements'.

The lease was assigned to the subsidiary company.

The contract was given to another group.

Passive 'was assigned'.

The lease includes a comprehensive indemnification clause.

The contract protects from loss.

Legal terminology.

Failure to comply with the lease constitutes a default.

Not following rules is a failure.

Formal structure.

The lease provides for a right of first refusal.

You get to say yes or no first.

Legal right.

The lease's restrictive covenants are quite burdensome.

The rules are very difficult.

Possessive 'lease's'.

The lease back arrangement allowed the firm to free up capital.

Selling and renting back helped the money.

Complex financial term.

The lease is subject to the overarching statutory framework.

The contract must follow the big laws.

Highly formal 'subject to'.

The lease's duration was co-extensive with the project's life.

The contract and project end together.

Advanced adjective 'co-extensive'.

The leasehold estate was encumbered by several liens.

The rented property had legal debts.

Archaic/Legal 'encumbered'.

The lease mandated a triple-net arrangement for the tenant.

The tenant pays for everything.

Specific real estate term.

The lease was deemed unconscionable by the high court.

The court said the contract was unfair.

Legal 'deemed unconscionable'.

The lease's termination triggered a massive liquidation event.

Ending the contract caused everything to be sold.

Cause-and-effect structure.

The lease serves as a primary instrument of land tenure.

The contract is the main way to hold land.

Academic 'instrument of land tenure'.

類義語

rental agreement contract tenancy charter hire agreement

反対語

sale purchase

よく使う組み合わせ

sign a lease

renew a lease

break a lease

commercial lease

residential lease

lease agreement

lease term

lease payment

expire

negotiate a lease

よく使うフレーズ

on the lease

lease is up

take out a lease

long-term lease

short-term lease

lease-to-own

ground lease

master lease

lease buyout

lease extension

よく混同される語

lease vs Rent

Rent is the money you pay; the lease is the contract you sign.

lease vs Leash

A leash is a rope for a dog; a lease is a legal document.

lease vs Lend

Lending is usually free and informal; leasing is a paid business deal.

慣用句と表現

"a new lease on life"

A fresh start or a feeling of renewed energy and health.

The heart transplant gave him a new lease on life.

Informal/General

"lease of life"

The period of time something is expected to last or be useful.

The repairs gave the old car a second lease of life.

General

"to have a short lease"

To have a limited amount of time left (often used for life or power).

The unpopular government has a short lease on power.

Metaphorical

"sign your life away"

To sign a very long or restrictive contract (often used jokingly about a lease).

I felt like I was signing my life away with that 50-page lease.

Slang/Humorous

"read the fine print"

To carefully examine the small, often hidden details of a contract.

Always read the fine print of a lease before signing.

General

"lock into"

To be committed to a contract that is hard to change.

Don't get locked into a lease you can't afford.

Informal

"break the bank"

To cost too much money (often used regarding lease payments).

The lease on that luxury apartment will break the bank.

Informal

"paper trail"

A series of documents (like a lease) that prove an agreement.

The lease provides a clear paper trail for the business.

Neutral

"seal the deal"

To finalize an agreement, usually by signing.

Signing the lease will finally seal the deal.

Informal

"under the thumb"

To be controlled by someone (metaphorically used for strict lease terms).

The restrictive lease kept the tenant under the landlord's thumb.

Informal

間違えやすい

lease vs Lessor

Sounds like 'lesser'.

A lessor is the owner/landlord who grants the lease. A 'lesser' thing is something of smaller importance.

The lessor signed the document first.

lease vs Lessee

Ends in 'ee'.

The lessee is the tenant or user. Think of 'employee' (the one who gets the job).

The lessee must pay the rent on time.

lease vs Leasing

Used as a noun or verb.

Leasing is the process or the industry. A lease is the specific document.

Leasing is a big part of the car industry.

lease vs Release

Contains the word 'lease'.

To release is to let go or set free. To re-lease (with a hyphen) is to sign a lease again.

They will release the prisoner; They will re-lease the apartment.

lease vs Fleece

Rhymes with lease.

Fleece is wool from a sheep. It has nothing to do with contracts.

The jacket is made of soft fleece.

文型パターン

I have a [duration] lease.

I have a one-year lease.

The lease [verb] in [time].

The lease ends in May.

According to the lease, [rule].

According to the lease, I cannot have a dog.

They decided to [verb] the lease.

They decided to extend the lease.

The lease stipulates that [legal condition].

The lease stipulates that the tenant is liable for damages.

Subject to the terms of the lease...

Subject to the terms of the lease, you may sublet the room.

The lease back arrangement provided...

The lease back arrangement provided the necessary liquidity.

The leasehold interest was...

The leasehold interest was transferred to the heir.

語族

名詞

動詞

形容詞

使い方

frequency

Very common in adult life, real estate, and business.

よくある間違い

I need to pay my lease. → I need to pay my rent.
You pay the rent (money), not the lease (contract).
I am leese the car. → I am leasing the car.
The spelling is 'lease' and the verb form is 'leasing'.
The lease is finished. → The lease is up / The lease has expired.
In English, we say a contract is 'up' or 'expired' rather than 'finished'.
I signed a lease of the apartment. → I signed a lease for the apartment.
The preposition 'for' or 'on' is more natural than 'of'.
The lessee owns the building. → The lessor owns the building.
The lessor is the owner; the lessee is the tenant.

ヒント

Read Every Word

Never sign a lease without reading every page. Look for hidden fees or rules about guests and pets.

Negotiate

You can often negotiate the terms of a lease, especially for commercial spaces or if you have a great credit score.

Document Everything

Take photos of the property when you sign the lease to prove its condition and protect your security deposit.

Watch the Miles

Car leases have strict mileage limits. If you drive more than the limit, you will pay a high fee per mile at the end.

Lessor vs Lessee

Remember: Lessor = Owner (2 syllables, like 'Owner'). Lessee = User (2 syllables, like 'Tenant'... okay, this one is harder, just memorize it!).

Get it in Writing

Even if a landlord says something is okay, if it's not in the written lease, it might not be legally protected.

Notice Period

Check how much notice you need to give before the lease ends. Usually, it is 30 or 60 days.

Commercial Terms

Commercial leases often require the tenant to pay for taxes and insurance (Triple Net). Be prepared for these extra costs.

Lock-in Period

A lease protects you from being kicked out suddenly. It is your legal right to stay until the term ends.

New Lease on Life

Use this phrase to describe a fresh start after a difficult time. It's a great way to sound more native.

暗記しよう

記憶術

Think of 'LEase' as 'LEtting' someone stay. You LEt them stay if they sign the LEase.

視覚的連想

Imagine a giant golden key resting on a thick stack of papers. The papers are the lease, and the key is the right to enter.

Word Web

Apartment Contract Signature Rent Landlord Tenant Rules Duration

チャレンジ

Try to explain the difference between 'buying' and 'leasing' to a friend using the word 'lease' at least three times.

語源

The word 'lease' comes from the Old French word 'laissier,' which means 'to let, allow, or leave.' This itself originated from the Latin 'laxare,' meaning 'to loosen or widen.'

元の意味： Originally, it meant to grant the possession of lands or tenements for a term of years.

Indo-European > Italic > Romance > French > English

文化的な背景

Be aware that for some, 'lease' and 'rent' are stressful topics related to housing insecurity or rising costs of living.

In the US, 'leasing' a car is very popular for the middle class. In the UK, 'tenancy' is the more common word for homes.

The musical 'RENT' focuses on characters struggling to pay their rent and maintain their lease. Shakespeare's Sonnet 18: 'And summer's lease hath all too short a date.' The '99-year lease' of Hong Kong to Britain is a famous historical event.

実生活で練習する

実際の使用場面

Apartment Hunting

How long is the lease?
Can I see the lease?
Is the lease month-to-month?
Who signs the lease?

Car Dealership

What are the lease terms?
Is there a mileage limit on the lease?
Can I buy out the lease?
What is the monthly lease payment?

Business Office

We need to renew the office lease.
The lease includes maintenance.
Is it a commercial lease?
The lease expires next year.

Legal Dispute

He breached the lease.
The lease is legally binding.
We are taking them to court over the lease.
The lease was voided.

Moving Out

My lease is up.
I'm breaking my lease.
I need to find a sublease.
Did you get your deposit back from the lease?

会話のきっかけ

"Are you currently on a long-term lease or do you own your home?"

"Have you ever had to break a lease early? What happened?"

"Do you think it's better to buy a car or take out a lease?"

"What is the strangest rule you've ever seen in a house lease?"

"If you were a landlord, what would be the most important rule in your lease?"

日記のテーマ

Describe the process of signing your first lease. How did you feel?

Write about a time you felt like you had a 'new lease on life.' What changed?

Compare the pros and cons of leasing versus buying a home in your city.

Imagine you are writing a lease for a space colony. What rules would you include?

Reflect on the importance of legal contracts like leases in modern society.

よくある質問

10 問

A lease is typically for a fixed long-term period (like 12 months) and cannot be changed easily. A rental agreement is usually month-to-month and offers more flexibility for both parties to end the arrangement with short notice.

Yes, but it usually comes with a financial penalty. You might have to pay a fee or continue paying rent until a new tenant is found. Always check the 'termination clause' in your lease for specific details.

Renewing a lease means you sign a new contract to continue living in the property or using the equipment after your current lease expires. This is often done to avoid moving or to keep the same terms.

The lessor is the person or company that owns the property or equipment and allows someone else to use it. In a housing context, the lessor is the landlord.

The lessee is the person or company that pays to use the property or equipment. In a housing context, the lessee is the tenant.

A security deposit is a sum of money paid at the start of a lease. The landlord holds this money to pay for any damages you might cause. If the property is in good condition when you leave, you usually get the money back.

It depends on your needs. Leasing a car usually has lower monthly payments and lets you drive a new car every few years, but you never own the car and there are mileage limits.

A sublease is when the original tenant (the lessee) rents out the property to another person. The original tenant is still responsible to the landlord for the lease terms.

When a lease expires, you must either move out, renew the lease, or sometimes the agreement automatically becomes a month-to-month rental agreement, depending on the local laws and the contract.

Generally, no. One of the main benefits of a lease is that the rent is 'locked in' for the duration of the contract. The landlord can only change the rent when the lease is renewed.