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集合住宅

B1 noun #5,000 most common 8 min read

集合住宅

shuugoujuutaku Top 5,000

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips 集合住宅 in 30 Seconds

Explanation 集合住宅 in your Level:

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Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

集合住宅 in 30 Seconds

A building with many separate living units.
Also known as an apartment building or multi-unit dwelling.
Used in formal contexts like real estate or urban planning.
Encompasses apartments and condominiums.

The Japanese word 集合住宅 (shūkō jūtaku) literally translates to 'gathering housing' or 'collective dwelling.' It is a formal and general term used to refer to any building that contains multiple individual living units, such as apartments, condominiums, or flats. You'll encounter this term in official documents, real estate listings, urban planning discussions, and when referring to residential areas with a high density of housing.

Literal Breakdown: 集合 (shūkō) means 'gathering,' 'assembly,' or 'collection.'; 住宅 (jūtaku) means 'housing,' 'residence,' or 'dwelling.'

In everyday conversation, people might use more specific terms like マンション (manshon) for a modern apartment building, or アパート (apāto) for a simpler apartment building, often wooden or smaller in scale. However, 集合住宅 serves as the overarching, neutral category that encompasses all these types of multi-unit dwellings. It's the term you'd find on a map indicating a residential zone or in a government report about housing infrastructure.

都市部では、多くの集合住宅が見られます。

In urban areas, many apartment buildings can be seen.

When discussing housing policy, the construction of new residential areas, or the characteristics of different types of housing, 集合住宅 is the most appropriate and precise term. It's a word that signifies a collection of homes within a single structure, designed for multiple households.

Usage Contexts: Real Estate: Describing types of properties.; Urban Planning: Discussing housing density and development.; Government Reports: Categorizing housing stock.; News Articles: Reporting on housing market trends.

この地域には多くの集合住宅が建設されています。

Many apartment buildings are being constructed in this area.

Using 集合住宅 (shūkō jūtaku) correctly involves understanding its role as a noun referring to multi-unit dwellings. It often appears as the subject or object of a sentence, or is modified by adjectives or other phrases. Because it's a general term, it's frequently paired with words that specify its characteristics or location.

Basic Sentence Structure: Subject + は/が + 集合住宅 + です/である.; Object + を + 建てる/探す + 集合住宅.

Consider how it functions in relation to other common vocabulary. For instance, you might talk about the 'construction' (建設 - kensetsu), 'rent' (家賃 - yachin), or 'type' (種類 - shurui) of 集合住宅. Adjectives describing the building, like 'new' (新しい - atarashii), 'old' (古い - furui), 'large' (大きい - ōkii), or 'small' (小さい - chiisai), can also precede it.

新しい集合住宅が完成しました。

A new apartment building has been completed.

When describing the location, you might use phrases like 'near the station' (駅の近く - eki no chikaku) or 'in the suburbs' (郊外 - kōgai). These descriptive elements help to paint a clearer picture of the 集合住宅 being discussed.

Example Sentences with Particles: この通りには、古い集合住宅がたくさんあります。
(Kono tōri ni wa, furui shūkō jūtaku ga takusan arimasu.) - There are many old apartment buildings on this street.; 私たちは新しい集合住宅を探しています。
(Watashitachi wa atarashii shūkō jūtaku o sagashite imasu.) - We are looking for a new apartment building.; 彼らは都心に集合住宅を建てました。
(Karera wa toshin ni shūkō jūtaku o tatemashita.) - They built an apartment building in the city center.

この集合住宅は駅まで徒歩5分です。

This apartment building is a 5-minute walk to the station.

You'll most commonly hear or read 集合住宅 (shūkō jūtaku) in contexts that are official, informative, or analytical regarding housing. It's not typically a word used in casual, everyday chat about where you live, unless you're discussing urban development or housing policy.

Real Estate and Property Listings: In property advertisements, especially those aiming for a broader audience or in official reports, 集合住宅 might be used to categorize a property as a multi-unit dwelling. However, more specific terms like マンション (manshon) or アパート (apāto) are more common for direct appeal.

Think of it as the word a city planner might use when referring to a zoning area designated for 集合住宅. Or a news reporter discussing the impact of new 集合住宅 developments on local infrastructure.

不動産会社のウェブサイトには、様々な集合住宅の情報が掲載されている。

Real estate company websites feature information on various apartment buildings.

You might also hear it in academic contexts, such as lectures on urban sociology or architecture, where precise terminology is important for discussing housing trends and types.

Formal and Official Settings: Government Announcements: Discussing housing policies, subsidies, or urban development plans.; News Reports: When discussing the housing market, construction trends, or issues related to apartment living.; Academic Papers: In research related to sociology, economics, urban planning, and architecture.; Legal Documents: When referring to property types in contracts or legal descriptions.

新しい集合住宅の建設は、地域の景観に大きな影響を与える。

The construction of new apartment buildings greatly affects the local landscape.

Learners might make a few common mistakes when using 集合住宅 (shūkō jūtaku). The most frequent error is using it in contexts where a more specific or casual term would be natural, or misunderstanding its formal register.

Mistake 1: Overuse in Casual Conversation: Using 集合住宅 when simply referring to your own apartment or a neighbor's apartment can sound overly formal or stiff. In casual settings, マンション (manshon) or アパート (apāto) are preferred, or even just うち (uchi - my place) or 隣の部屋 (tonari no heya - the next room/apartment).

Another mistake is assuming it's a direct equivalent to 'condominium' or 'apartment' without considering the nuances. While it's a general term for multi-unit dwellings, its formality means it's not always the best fit for everyday speech.

（間違い）友人に、「私の集合住宅はとても快適です。」と言う。

(Mistake) Saying to a friend, "My apartment building is very comfortable." (Sounds too formal)

Learners might also incorrectly use it to refer to a single house or detached dwelling. 集合住宅 specifically denotes buildings with multiple separate living units.

Mistake 2: Confusing with Specific Types: Treating 集合住宅 as if it means only 'condominium' or only 'apartment building' can lead to inaccuracies. It's a broader term. For example, a very old, low-rise wooden building with several units is still a 集合住宅, even though it might be called an アパート.; Using it to describe a single-family home would be incorrect as it inherently implies multiple dwelling units within one structure.

（正しい使い方）この地域には、高層集合住宅が多い。

(Correct Usage) This area has many high-rise apartment buildings.

集合住宅 (shūkō jūtaku) is a general term, and depending on the context and level of formality, several other words can be used as alternatives or are related concepts.

マンション (Manshon): Register: Neutral to slightly informal. This is the most common term for a modern, often multi-story apartment building, typically made of reinforced concrete. It implies a certain level of quality and amenities. While 集合住宅 is broader, マンション refers to a specific, more upscale type of 集合住宅.; Example: 彼は都心にある新しいマンションに住んでいます。
(Kare wa toshin ni aru atarashii manshon ni sunde imasu.) - He lives in a new apartment building in the city center.

While 集合住宅 is a formal, encompassing term, マンション is more specific and frequently used in daily conversation.

アパート (Apāto)

Register: Neutral to informal. Generally refers to older, smaller, often wooden apartment buildings. They are typically lower-rise than マンション and may be less luxurious. 集合住宅 includes アパート as a type.

Example: 彼女は家賃の安いアパートに住んでいます。

(Kanojo wa yachin no yasui apāto ni sunde imasu.) - She lives in an inexpensive apartment.

Both マンション and アパート are types of 集合住宅.

団地 (Danchi): Register: Neutral. Refers to a housing complex, often a large-scale public housing development consisting of multiple buildings. These can include apartments or sometimes houses. It's a specific type of 集合住宅 development.; Example: 昔ながらの団地では、コミュニティが大切にされている。
(Mukashi nagara no danchi de wa, komyuniti ga taisetsu ni sarete iru.) - In old-fashioned housing complexes, community is cherished.

While 集合住宅 refers to the building type, 団地 refers more to the planned community or complex.

住宅 (Jūtaku)

Register: Neutral. This is a general term for 'housing' or 'residence.' It can refer to any type of dwelling, including single-family homes and 集合住宅. 集合住宅 is a specific form of 住宅.

Example: 日本では、住宅事情が都市部と地方で大きく異なる。

(Nihon de wa, jūtaku jijō ga toshibu to chihō de ōkiku kotonaru.) - In Japan, housing conditions differ greatly between urban and rural areas.

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

The term 集合住宅 is a relatively modern coinage, appearing in the late 19th or early 20th century as Japan modernized and urbanized, leading to the need for terms to describe new forms of housing. It's a distinctly Japanese term, unlike loanwords like マンション or アパート.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /ʃuːkoʊ dʒuːtaku/

US /ʃuːkoʊ dʒuːtaku/

shū-kō jū-ta-ku

Rhymes With

futoku shokutaku shokubutsu genbutsu shokubun kōkotsu kōketsu shokubun shokubutsu shokutaku

Common Errors

Pronouncing the 'u' sounds too long or too short.
Incorrectly stressing syllables, making the word sound unnatural.
Muffling the final 'u' sound in 'jūtaku'.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 3/5

Recognizing 集合住宅 in written text is straightforward, especially in news articles, real estate listings, or official documents. Understanding its nuances requires familiarity with Japanese housing terms and urban development contexts.

Writing 3/5

Using 集合住宅 correctly in writing involves understanding its formal register and choosing it over more casual terms like マンション or アパート when appropriate. It's best suited for formal essays, reports, or descriptive writing about urban environments.

Speaking 3/5

While understood in spoken Japanese, 集合住宅 is less common in casual conversation. Its usage in speaking typically indicates a more formal discussion about housing or urban planning.

Listening 3/5

Hearing 集合住宅 in spoken Japanese is generally associated with news broadcasts, documentaries, formal announcements, or discussions related to real estate and urban development.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

建物 (tatemono - building) 家 (ie - house) 住む (sumu - to live) 都市 (toshi - city) 地域 (chiiki - area)

Learn Next

マンション (manshon - apartment building) アパート (apāto - apartment) 団地 (danchi - housing complex) 一戸建て (ikkodate - detached house) 賃貸 (chintai - rental)

Advanced

都市計画 (toshi keikaku - urban planning) 不動産 (fudōsan - real estate) 建築 (kenchiku - architecture) 居住 (kyojū - habitation/residence) 公営住宅 (kōei jūtaku - public housing)

Grammar to Know

Using particles like が (ga) and は (wa) to mark the subject.

集合住宅が多い。(Shūkō jūtaku ga ōi.) - There are many apartment buildings. (Subject marked with が)

Using the particle を (o) to mark the direct object of a verb.

集合住宅を探す。(Shūkō jūtaku o sagasu.) - To look for an apartment building. (Object marked with を)

Using the particle に (ni) to indicate location or destination.

集合住宅に住む。(Shūkō jūtaku ni sumu.) - To live in an apartment building. (Location marked with に)

Using the particle の (no) for possession or modification.

集合住宅の家賃。(Shūkō jūtaku no yachin.) - The rent of the apartment building. (Possessive/modifying particle の)

Using adjectives before nouns to modify them.

新しい集合住宅。(Atarashii shūkō jūtaku.) - A new apartment building. (Adjective modifying noun)