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在宅する

B1 verb #4,000 most common 10 min read

在宅する

zaitaku suru Top 4,000

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips 在宅する in 30 Seconds

Explanation 在宅する in your Level:

At the A1 level, you are just starting to learn how to talk about your location. You usually learn 'Ie ni imasu' (I am at home). 'Zaitaku suru' is a bit more advanced because it uses two kanji and the 'suru' verb pattern. Think of it as a special way to say 'I am at home' when you are talking to a delivery person or a teacher. You might see the word 'Zaitaku' on a delivery app. For now, just remember that 'Zaitaku' means 'at home' and 'suru' makes it an action. If someone asks 'Gozaitaku desu ka?', they are politely asking if you are home. You can answer 'Hai' (Yes). It is a very useful word for living in Japan because of how much people use delivery services. Even if you don't use it yourself, knowing what it means when you hear it will help you a lot. Just imagine a house (taku) and you being inside it (zai). That is 'Zaitaku'.

At the A2 level, you can start using 'Zaitaku suru' in simple professional or formal settings. You might use it when writing a short email to a teacher or when talking to a shopkeeper about a delivery. Instead of just saying 'Ie ni imasu,' using 'Zaitaku shite imasu' makes you sound more polite and adult. You should also learn the word 'Zaitaku勤務' (Zaitaku kinmu), which means working from home. Many people in Japan do this now. You can say 'Kyō wa zaitaku kinmu desu' (Today is work-from-home). Another important thing at this level is the negative form. If you are not home, you can say 'Zaitaku shite imasen.' However, in Japan, people often use the noun '不在' (Fuzai) for 'not home' on delivery slips. Understanding the difference between 'Zaitaku' (at home) and 'Kitaku' (going home) is also a key goal for A2 learners. 'Kitaku' is a movement, but 'Zaitaku' is staying in one place.

As a B1 learner, you should be comfortable using 'Zaitaku suru' in various formal and semi-formal contexts. You understand that this word is a 'kango' (Chinese-origin word), which naturally gives it a more formal and academic feel than 'wago' (native Japanese words like 'ie'). You can use it to schedule deliveries precisely: 'Gogo san-ji goro wa zaitaku shite imasu' (I will be home around 3 PM). You also start to see its use in compound nouns like 'Zaitaku iryō' (home medical care) or 'Zaitaku fukushi' (home welfare). At this level, you should focus on the 'state' versus 'action' distinction. 'Zaitaku' describes the state of being at home. You can also use the honorific version 'Go-zaitaku' when inquiring about someone else. For example, when calling a client's house, you might ask 'Goshujin wa go-zaitaku desu ka?' (Is your husband home?). This shows you can handle social hierarchies in Japanese conversation.

At the B2 level, you should understand the societal nuances of 'Zaitaku suru.' It's not just a location; it's a status that appears in news reports and social studies. You might discuss 'Zaitaku-ritsu' (the rate of people staying home) in the context of urban planning or pandemic responses. You can use the word in complex sentences with conditional structures, like 'Zaitaku shite ireba, nimotsu wo uketoreta noni' (If I had been home, I could have received the package). You are also expected to use the humble form 'Zaitaku shite orimasu' flawlessly in business emails. You understand that 'Zaitaku' is often preferred in written Japanese because it is concise. In a report about remote work trends, you would use 'Zaitaku' rather than 'Ie de hataraku' because it sounds more professional and objective. You can also distinguish between 'Zaitaku' and 'Naikin' (working in the office), showing a deep understanding of Japanese corporate vocabulary.

C1 learners should be able to use 'Zaitaku suru' and its derivatives in highly specialized fields. In medical Japanese, you might discuss the ethics and logistics of 'Zaitaku-shi' (dying at home) versus hospital care. In legal or administrative contexts, you understand how 'Zaitaku' relates to residency requirements and tax laws for remote workers. You can appreciate the subtle differences in register between 'Zaitaku,' 'Kyo-ju' (residing), and 'Sho-zai' (whereabouts). You can also use the word metaphorically or in high-level discussions about the changing nature of the 'home' in Japanese society. Your use of honorifics (Keigo) surrounding this word should be perfect, choosing between 'Go-zaitaku,' 'Zaitaku shite orimasu,' and 'Zaitaku chu' based on the specific social distance and context. You might also analyze how the term 'Zaitaku' has evolved in media discourse over the last decade, reflecting shifts in work-life balance and technology.

At the C2 level, 'Zaitaku suru' is a tool you use with total native-like precision and stylistic flair. You can write academic papers or give speeches on the 'Zaitaku-gata shakai' (home-based society) and its implications for traditional Japanese company culture. You understand the historical etymology of the kanji '宅' and how its usage has shifted from referring to noble estates to modern apartments. You can navigate the most complex honorific situations, such as speaking to members of the Imperial family or high-ranking government officials, where the terminology for 'being at home' might even shift to even more formal variants like 'Okoshite irassharu.' You can detect and explain the slight nuances in tone between different news outlets when they use the word 'Zaitaku.' Essentially, the word is no longer just a vocabulary item but a cultural concept that you can manipulate to express precise shades of meaning in any professional or academic setting.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

在宅する in 30 Seconds

Formal way to say 'to be at home'.
Used in business, medical, and delivery contexts.
Often seen as 'zaitaku kinmu' (working from home).
Polite form is 'go-zaitaku' for others.

The Japanese verb 在宅する (zaitaku suru) is a formal and functional way to express that someone is currently at their place of residence. While the basic phrase ie ni iru (家にいる) also means 'to be at home,' 在宅する carries a more professional or official tone. It is composed of two kanji characters: 在 (zai), meaning 'to exist' or 'to be located at,' and 宅 (taku), meaning 'house' or 'home.' When combined with the functional verb suru, it transforms into a versatile action describing the state of being present at home. This word is indispensable in modern Japanese society, especially with the rise of remote work and delivery services. It is used frequently in business contexts, medical settings, and by service industries to confirm a person's availability at their residence.

Formal Presence: Used in official documents, surveys, and business communications to denote being at home rather than at an office or elsewhere.
Delivery Context: Couriers often use the polite form go-zaitaku to ask if a customer is home to receive a package.
Remote Work: Derived terms like zaitaku kinmu refer specifically to working from home, a concept that has become central to Japanese labor culture.

午後は在宅する予定ですので、お電話をお待ちしております。(I plan to be at home in the afternoon, so I will be waiting for your call.)

In everyday conversation, you might not use 在宅する with close friends, as it can sound overly stiff. However, if you are speaking to a landlord, a government official, or a client, this word demonstrates a high level of linguistic competence and respect for the professional nature of the interaction. It effectively separates your private life from the logistical fact of your location. For example, saying 'I am at home' to a friend is a personal update, but 'I will be zaitaku' to a courier is a logistical confirmation. Understanding this nuance helps learners navigate the social hierarchies and formalities inherent in the Japanese language.

彼は現在、在宅しておりません。(He is not at home at the moment.)

Furthermore, the term has significant implications in the healthcare sector. Zaitaku iryo (home medical care) is a growing field in Japan's aging society, where patients receive treatment while staying at home. In this context, 在宅する emphasizes the patient's choice to remain in a familiar environment rather than being hospitalized. This illustrates how the word bridges the gap between a simple physical location and a broader social or medical status. Whether you are filling out a form, talking to a boss, or discussing medical care, 在宅する provides the necessary level of clarity and formality required for such situations.

Professionalism: Using this word signals that you understand the formal registers of Japanese society.

Using 在宅する correctly involves understanding its role as a Suru-verb. This means you can conjugate it just like any other verb ending in suru, such as benkyo suru (to study) or denwa suru (to call). Because it describes a state of being, it is very common to see it in the continuous form zaitaku shite iru (is currently at home). In formal settings, this becomes zaitaku shite orimasu (humble) or go-zaitaku desu (honorific). The choice of conjugation depends entirely on who you are talking to and whose location you are describing.

明日の午前中は在宅します。(I will be at home tomorrow morning.)

State of Being: Use zaitaku shite iru to describe your current situation. For example, 'I am at home right now' is Ima, zaitaku shite imasu.
Future Intent: Use zaitaku suru or zaitaku suru yotei (plan to be at home) for future arrangements.

One of the most important grammatical patterns involving this word is its use as a noun modifier. You can place 在宅 directly before other nouns to create compound terms. The most famous is zaitaku kinmu (working from home). In this case, you drop the suru. Another common one is zaitaku iryo (home medical care). If you want to describe a person who is currently at home, you can say zaitaku no kata (the person who is at home). This flexibility allows 在宅 to function as both a verb and a categorizing noun, making it extremely efficient in business and legal Japanese.

多くの社員が在宅勤務に切り替えました。(Many employees switched to working from home.)

When asking someone else if they are home, always use the honorific prefix go-. Asking Gozaitaku desu ka? is the standard polite way to inquire about someone's presence at their house. Conversely, when speaking about yourself to a superior, you should use humble forms. For example, Zaitaku shite orimasu is much more professional than Zaitaku shite imasu. This distinction is crucial for B1 learners who are moving into professional Japanese environments. It's not just about the meaning of 'being at home'; it's about the social relationship between the speaker and the listener.

父は本日、終日在宅しております。(My father is at home all day today.)

Negative Form: To say someone is not home, use fuzai (absence) or zaitaku shite inai. Fuzai is more common on delivery slips.

In Japan, you will encounter 在宅する in several specific real-world scenarios. The most common is package delivery. Japan's delivery culture is incredibly precise. If a driver arrives and you aren't home, they leave a fuzai renrakuhyo (undelivered item notice). When you call to reschedule, the automated system or the operator will ask for your zaitaku jikandai (the time period when you will be at home). This is a very practical application of the word that every resident in Japan needs to know. You might say, '18時から20時の間は在宅しています' (I will be home between 6 PM and 8 PM).

ご在宅の時間帯を教えていただけますか？(Could you tell me the time period when you will be at home?)

Another major area is the modern workplace. Since 2020, zaitaku kinmu has become a standard term in news reports, company policies, and daily office chatter. You will hear coworkers say, 'Kyō wa zaitaku desu' (I'm working from home today). Note that in casual office speech, people often drop the suru and just use zaitaku as a standalone noun/adjective. It sounds much more professional than saying 'I'm staying at my house.' It implies that even though you are at home, you are in a 'working' state. This nuance is vital for maintaining a professional image while working remotely.

News & Media: News anchors often discuss 'zaitaku-ritsu' (the rate of people staying at home) during holidays or emergencies.
Medical/Care: Doctors and nurses use 'zaitaku' to refer to patients who are receiving care at home rather than in a clinic.

最近は在宅で仕事をする人が増えています。(Recently, the number of people working from home is increasing.)

Finally, you will hear this word in the context of surveys and census taking. If a government official knocks on your door, they are checking for zaitaku. In these situations, the word is used to categorize the population into those at home and those away. It is a sterile, clear, and unambiguous term. For a learner, hearing this word should trigger a 'formal/logistical' mental frame. It's not about the warmth of a 'home' (which would use uchi or katei), but about the physical presence of a person at their registered address.

The most common mistake learners make is using 在宅する in casual situations where ie ni iru or uchi ni iru would be more natural. For instance, if a friend asks, 'What are you doing today?' and you answer 'Zaitaku shimasu,' it sounds like you are a robot or an official announcing your location. To a friend, you should say 'Ie ni iru yo' or 'Uchi de yukkuri suru' (I'll relax at home). 在宅する is for when the *fact* of being at home is relevant to a professional or logistical process.

Confusing with 'Staying': Do not confuse zaitaku with tomaru (to stay overnight). Zaitaku means you are *at your own home*, not staying at a hotel or a friend's house.
Particle Errors: Learners often try to say 'Ie ni zaitaku suru.' This is redundant because 'taku' already means house. Just say 'Zaitaku shite imasu.'

Incorrect: 友達の家に在宅します。
Correct: 友達の家に泊まります。

Another mistake is failing to use the honorific go- when referring to others. In Japanese, referring to a superior's home-presence as just zaitaku can seem blunt. Always use go-zaitaku when asking a client or boss if they are home. Also, be careful with the word kitaku (returning home). Kitaku is the action of going back, while zaitaku is the state of already being there. If you say 'Ima zaitaku shimashita,' it sounds strange; you should say 'Ima kitaku shimashita' (I just got home).

Incorrect: 猫が在宅しています。
Correct: 猫が家にいます。

Lastly, avoid overusing it in writing that is meant to be emotive. If you are writing a story about someone feeling lonely at home, zaitaku is too cold. Use hitori de ie ni iru instead. Zaitaku is a 'checking the box' kind of word. It's perfect for a work status update, but terrible for a poem or a heartfelt letter. Balancing the technical accuracy of zaitaku with the emotional warmth of ie is a key step in mastering intermediate Japanese.

To truly master 在宅する, you must understand how it compares to its synonyms. The most common alternative is ie ni iru (家にいる). While both mean 'to be at home,' ie ni iru is the general, everyday expression used with friends and family. It focuses on the personal space. In contrast, zaitaku suru is formal and focuses on the logistical presence. Another similar word is kitaku suru (帰宅する), which specifically means the *act* of returning home. You use kitaku when you are on your way or have just arrived, but zaitaku once you are settled in.

在宅 (Zaitaku) vs. 帰宅 (Kitaku): Zaitaku = Being at home (State). Kitaku = Returning home (Action).
在宅 (Zaitaku) vs. 不在 (Fuzai): Zaitaku = Present at home. Fuzai = Not present at home (often used for missed deliveries).

テレワーク (Telework) and リモートワーク (Remote work) are often used interchangeably with 在宅勤務.

In a business setting, you might also hear naikin (内勤), which means working inside the office (as opposed to being out on sales calls). While zaitaku means working from your own home, naikin refers to the location within the company structure. Furthermore, shuku-taku (宿宅) is an old-fashioned or very formal way to refer to one's residence, but it is rarely used as a verb. For learners, the most useful related term to learn alongside zaitaku is fuzai (不在). If you see a 'Fuzai' sticker on your door, it means you weren't zaitaku when the mailman came.

Finally, consider the word taku (宅) itself. It is used as a polite suffix for other people's houses, like Tanaka-san-taku (Mr. Tanaka's house). This reinforces why zaitaku is a formal word; it uses the polite kanji for 'house.' In summary, use ie ni iru for your personal life, zaitaku suru for your professional life and logistical needs, and kitaku suru when you are heading back to your sanctuary.

Summary Table

在宅 (Zaitaku): Formal/Official status of being home.
家にいる (Ie ni iru): Casual/General being at home.
帰宅 (Kitaku): The act of going home.
不在 (Fuzai): The state of not being home.

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

The kanji '宅' (taku) is the same one used in 'Otaku'. Originally, 'Otaku' was a super-polite way to say 'your house/you', but it became a label for geeks because they stayed home and used formal language with each other.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /zaɪtaku suɾu/

US /zaɪtaku suɾu/

Flat pitch accent (Heiban), so it sounds relatively level.

Rhymes With

kaiku saiku daiku haiku maiku naiku raiku taiku

Common Errors

Pronouncing 'zai' as 'zay'. It should be 'z-eye'.
Stress on the 'ta' in 'taku'. Keep it flat.
Confusing 'taku' with 'take' (bamboo).

Difficulty Rating

Reading 3/5

Kanji are common but require knowledge of 'zai' and 'taku'.

Writing 4/5

Writing 'taku' (宅) correctly takes practice.

Speaking 2/5

Easy to pronounce once learned.

Listening 2/5

Very common in daily life announcements.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

家いるする宅外

Learn Next

勤務医療介護不在帰宅

Advanced

居宅常駐所在安否

Grammar to Know

Suru-verbs

在宅する、勉強する、電話する

Honorific Prefix 'Go-'

ご在宅、ご多忙、ご連絡

Continuous Form '~shite iru'

在宅している、食べている

Humble Form '~shite orimasu'

在宅しております、お待ちしております

Noun Modification

在宅の社員、在宅の時間

Examples by Level

私は今、在宅しています。

I am at home now.

Uses the continuous form 'shite imasu' to show current state.

明日は在宅しますか？

Will you be at home tomorrow?

Question form of the future/habitual verb.

父は在宅しています。

My father is at home.

Simple subject-verb sentence.

荷物が届くとき、在宅してください。

Please be at home when the package arrives.

Uses 'kudasai' for a polite request.

母は在宅していません。

My mother is not at home.

Negative continuous form.

午後、在宅します。

I will be home in the afternoon.

Future intent.

毎日、在宅しています。

I am at home every day.

Expresses a habitual state.

在宅している時間は短いです。

The time I am at home is short.

Using 'zaitaku shite iru' to modify 'jikan'.

今日は在宅勤務をしています。

I am working from home today.

Uses the compound noun 'zaitaku kinmu'.

ご在宅ですか？

Are you at home? (Polite)

Uses the honorific prefix 'go-'.

田中さんは在宅しているはずです。

Mr. Tanaka should be at home.

Uses 'hazu' to express expectation.

在宅している間に電話をください。

Please call me while I am at home.

Uses 'aida ni' to show a time period.

週末はたいてい在宅しています。

I am usually at home on weekends.

Uses 'taitei' (usually).

急いで帰宅して、在宅を確認しました。

I rushed home and confirmed my presence.

Contrasts 'kitaku' (action) and 'zaitaku' (state).

在宅の確認が取れませんでした。

We couldn't confirm if they were home.

Uses 'zaitaku' as a noun.

彼は病気で在宅しています。

He is at home due to illness.

Uses 'de' to show reason.

午後は在宅する予定ですので、荷物を受け取れます。

I plan to be at home in the afternoon, so I can receive the package.

Uses 'yotei' (plan) and potential form 'uketoremasu'.

弊社の社員は週に三日、在宅勤務をしています。

Our employees work from home three days a week.

Uses 'heisha' (humble 'our company').

ご在宅の時間帯を教えていただけますか？

Could you tell me the time period when you will be at home?

Humble request form 'oshiete itadakemasu ka'.

父は高齢なので、在宅医療を受けています。

My father is elderly, so he is receiving home medical care.

Uses 'zaitaku iryo' (home medical care).

在宅中であれば、インターホンを鳴らしてください。

If you are at home, please ring the intercom.

Uses 'chu' (during/while) and 'ba' (if).

彼は一日中在宅していたと言っています。

He says he was at home all day.

Reported speech using 'to itte imasu'.

在宅ワークは通勤時間が節約できるので便利です。

Working from home is convenient because it saves commuting time.

Uses 'zaitaku wa-ku' (home work).

不在表が入っていたので、在宅時間を指定しました。

There was a missed delivery slip, so I specified a time I'd be home.

Links 'fuzaihyo' and 'zaitaku jikan'.

感染症の拡大を防ぐため、国民に在宅が呼びかけられた。

To prevent the spread of infectious diseases, citizens were called upon to stay home.

Passive voice 'yobikakerareta'.

在宅勤務の導入により、オフィスの縮小を検討している企業が多い。

Many companies are considering downsizing their offices due to the introduction of telecommuting.

Uses 'donyu' (introduction) and 'kento' (consideration).

彼女は在宅で副業を始め、収入を増やしている。

She started a side job from home and is increasing her income.

Uses 'fukugyo' (side job).

在宅介護の負担を軽減するための支援が必要です。

Support is needed to reduce the burden of home caregiving.

Uses 'zaitaku kaigo' (home caregiving).

本日は終日在宅しておりますので、いつでもご連絡ください。

I am at home all day today, so please feel free to contact me anytime.

Humble form 'shite orimasu'.

在宅か外出中かを問わず、このルールは適用されます。

This rule applies regardless of whether you are at home or out.

Uses 'wo towazu' (regardless of).

彼は在宅のまま、世界中のクライアントと取引を行っている。

He conducts business with clients all over the world while staying at home.

Uses 'mama' (as it is/while staying).

在宅率が高まると、電力消費量のパターンが変化する。

As the rate of people staying home increases, the pattern of electricity consumption changes.

Uses 'zaitaku-ritsu' (stay-at-home rate).

在宅医療の普及は、地域包括ケアシステムの鍵となるだろう。

The spread of home medical care will likely be the key to the community-based integrated care system.

Academic tone using 'fukyu' and 'kagami'.

デジタル化の進展により、在宅での司法手続きが可能になりつつある。

With the progress of digitalization, home-based judicial procedures are becoming possible.

Uses 'tsutsu aru' (in the process of).

在宅勤務が常態化したことで、住環境へのこだわりが強まっている。

As working from home has become normalized, people are becoming more particular about their living environments.

Uses 'jotai-ka' (normalization).

彼は在宅起訴されたが、裁判までは普段通りの生活を送っている。

He was indicted without being detained (at home), but he is living his life as usual until the trial.

Legal term 'zaitaku kisho'.

孤独死を防ぐためには、在宅高齢者への定期的な見守りが不可欠だ。

To prevent lonely deaths, regular monitoring of the elderly at home is indispensable.

Uses 'fukaketsu' (indispensable).

在宅ワークの普及に伴い、ワークライフバランスの再定義が求められている。

With the spread of remote work, a redefinition of work-life balance is being called for.

Uses 'ni tomonai' (along with).

政府は在宅避難の可能性も考慮し、防災備蓄の強化を促している。

Considering the possibility of sheltering at home, the government is encouraging the strengthening of disaster prevention stockpiles.

Uses 'zaitaku hinan' (sheltering at home).

在宅時間の増加が、家庭内消費の構造に大きな影響を与えている。

The increase in time spent at home is significantly affecting the structure of household consumption.

Economic analysis tone.

在宅勤務の是非を巡る議論は、労働の定義そのものを問い直している。

The debate over the pros and cons of telecommuting is calling into question the very definition of labor.

Uses 'zehi wo meguru' (surrounding the pros and cons).

在宅死という選択肢が、尊厳ある最期を保障する一助となることが期待される。

It is expected that the option of dying at home will help ensure a dignified end of life.

Uses 'ichijo' (a help/contribution).

高度な情報通信基盤が整備されたことで、在宅での研究活動も遜色なく行える。

With high-level information and communication infrastructure in place, research activities at home can be conducted without inferiority.

Uses 'sonshoku naku' (without inferiority).

在宅形態の多様化は、都市構造の再編を余儀なくさせるだろう。

The diversification of home-based lifestyles will force a reorganization of urban structures.

Uses 'yogi naku saseru' (to force).

個人の在宅状況というプライバシーと、公共の安全をどう調和させるかが課題だ。

The challenge lies in how to harmonize the privacy of an individual's home status with public safety.

Abstract noun usage.

在宅という物理的制約を超えて、メタバース空間での社会参加が加速している。

Beyond the physical constraints of being at home, social participation in Metaverse spaces is accelerating.

Uses 'seiyaku wo koete' (beyond constraints).

在宅ワークの浸透は、ジェンダー間の家事分担の不均衡を浮き彫りにした。

The infiltration of remote work highlighted the imbalance of household chore distribution between genders.

Uses 'ukibori ni shita' (highlighted).

在宅を基本とする新たなライフスタイルが、地域コミュニティの再興を促す可能性を秘めている。

A new lifestyle based on staying at home holds the potential to encourage the revival of local communities.

Uses 'himeru' (to harbor/hold).

Common Collocations

在宅勤務

在宅医療

在宅介護

在宅中

在宅確認

在宅ワーク

在宅起訴

在宅時間

在宅避難

終日在宅

Common Phrases

ご在宅ですか？

— Are you at home? Used by delivery people.

お荷物をお届けに上がりましたが、ご在宅ですか？

在宅しています

— I am at home. A polite confirmation.

はい、今在宅しています。

在宅勤務中です

— I am currently working from home.

すみません、今は在宅勤務中です。

在宅の予定

— Schedule for being at home.

午後は在宅の予定です。

不在のため

— Because of being away (opposite context).

不在のため荷物を持ち帰りました。

在宅率

— The percentage of people at home.

連休中の在宅率を調査する。

在宅で過ごす

— To spend time at home.

休日は在宅で過ごすことが多い。

在宅を呼びかける

— To urge people to stay home.

政府が国民に在宅を呼びかけた。

在宅の有無

— Whether or not someone is home.

在宅の有無を確認してください。

在宅ケア

— Home care services.

在宅ケアの質を向上させる。

Often Confused With

在宅する vs 帰宅

Kitaku is the act of going home; Zaitaku is being there.

在宅する vs 滞在

Taizai is staying at a temporary place like a hotel.

在宅する vs 在学

Zaigaku means being enrolled in a school.

Idioms & Expressions

"在宅のまま"

— Remaining at home while doing something else.

在宅のまま手続きが完了した。

Neutral

"在宅に徹する"

— To commit fully to staying home (e.g., during a pandemic).

この一週間は在宅に徹する。

Formal

"在宅を決め込む"

— To decide to stay home and not go out (sometimes negative nuance).

彼は一日中在宅を決め込んでいる。

Informal

"在宅がち"

— Tending to be at home often.

最近は在宅がちで運動不足だ。

Neutral

"在宅ワークの波"

— The trend/wave of working from home.

在宅ワークの波に乗る。

Business

"在宅の壁"

— The difficulties/barriers of staying at home (e.g., isolation).

在宅の壁を感じる。

Neutral

"在宅ライフ"

— Life spent at home.

在宅ライフを楽しむ。

Informal

"在宅中心"

— Mainly based at home.

在宅中心の生活にシフトした。

Neutral

"在宅第一"

— Prioritizing staying at home.

健康のために在宅第一で考える。

Neutral

"在宅の極み"

— The ultimate state of being at home.

一歩も外に出ない在宅の極み。

Informal

Easily Confused

在宅する vs 在職

Both start with 'Zai'.

Zaishoku means currently employed/holding a position.

彼はその会社に10年在職している。

在宅する vs 在学

Both start with 'Zai'.

Zaigaku means currently being a student.

私は東京大学に在学しています。

在宅する vs 在住

Both start with 'Zai' and relate to home.

Zaiju means residing in a city/area long-term.

私は横浜市に在住しています。

在宅する vs 在席

Both start with 'Zai' and mean 'present'.

Zaiseki means being at your desk in an office.

田中は今、在席しております。

在宅する vs 在宅

N/A

This is the target word.

今日は在宅しています。

Sentence Patterns

私は[Place]に在宅しています。

私は自宅に在宅しています。

今日は[Reason]で在宅します。

今日は風邪で在宅します。

[Time]は在宅する予定です。

18時以降は在宅する予定です。

ご在宅であれば、[Action]してください。

ご在宅であれば、荷物を受け取ってください。

在宅勤務の[Noun]は[Adjective]です。

在宅勤務の効率は非常に高いです。

[Subject]は在宅しております。

田中はただいま在宅しております。

在宅に伴う[Noun]が課題となっている。

在宅に伴う運動不足が課題となっている。

在宅という[Noun]をどう定義するか。

在宅という労働形態をどう定義するか。

Word Family

Nouns

在宅 (Zaitaku - being at home)

宅 (Taku - house)

自宅 (Jitaku - one's own home)

帰宅 (Kitaku - returning home)

Verbs

在宅する (Zaitaku suru - to be at home)

帰宅する (Kitaku suru - to return home)

宅送する (Takuso suru - to send to a home)

Adjectives

在宅の (Zaitaku no - home-based)

不在 (Fuzai)

居宅 (Kyotaku)

住宅 (Jutaku)

社宅 (Shataku)

宅配 (Takuhai)

How to Use It

frequency

High, especially in professional and logistical contexts.

Common Mistakes

Using 'zaitaku' for staying at a hotel. → 滞在 (Taizai)
Zaitaku is only for your own residence.
Saying 'Ie ni zaitaku suru'. → 在宅する
Redundant; 'taku' already means house.
Using 'zaitaku' for the act of returning home. → 帰宅 (Kitaku)
Zaitaku is the state of being there, not the trip.
Forgetting 'go-' for superiors. → ご在宅
Standard honorific practice for others' locations.
Using it for animals. → 家にいる
Zaitaku is a human/formal term.

Tips

Delivery Tips

When rescheduling a package, use 'zaitaku jikan' to tell them when you will be home.

Suru-Verb Rule

Remember to conjugate it like 'zaitaku shimasu', 'zaitaku shita', etc.

Keigo

Always add 'go-' when asking a customer if they are at home.

State vs. Action

Zaitaku is a state. Don't use it for the act of walking into your house.

Compound Nouns

Learn 'zaitaku kinmu' as a single block; it is extremely common now.

Kanji Recognition

Look for the roof radical in 'taku' (宅) to help remember it means house.

Email Etiquette

In business emails, 'zaitaku' sounds much more professional than 'ie'.

Intercoms

Listen for 'Gozaitaku desu ka?' when someone rings your doorbell.

Phone Calls

If someone calls for your family member, say '[Name] wa zaitaku shite imasu'.

Forms

On forms, 'zaitaku' is often a checkbox for contact preferences.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Imagine a 'Zai' (Guy) named 'Taku' who never leaves his 'House'. Zai-Taku.

Visual Association

A person sitting inside a house-shaped box with a 'Present' checkmark above it.

Word Web

Home Work Delivery Medical Presence House Stay Office

Challenge

Try to use 'Zaitaku shite imasu' next time you talk to a Japanese person on the phone while you are at home.

Word Origin

Sino-Japanese (Kango). 'Zai' (在) comes from Middle Chinese /d͡zʌi/ and 'Taku' (宅) from /ʈˠɛk̚/.

Original meaning: To be present at a residence.

Japonic (using Chinese loan characters).

Cultural Context

Be careful not to use it when someone is 'stuck' at home due to tragedy; it sounds a bit too clinical.

In English, we say 'I'm home' or 'WFH'. 'Zaitaku' covers both but feels slightly more like a 'status' than a 'feeling'.

Zaitaku Kinmu (News keyword) Zaitaku Iryo (Policy term) Otaku (Etymologically related)

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Work

在宅勤務
在宅ワーク
リモート
内勤

Delivery

ご在宅
不在表
時間帯
再配達

Medical

在宅医療
在宅介護
訪問看護
往診

Legal

在宅起訴
在宅捜査
身柄拘束
釈放

Social

在宅率
自粛
おうち時間
巣ごもり

Conversation Starters

"今日は在宅勤務ですか、それとも出勤ですか？"

"荷物が届くので、午後は在宅していなければなりません。"

"在宅ワークのメリットとデメリットは何だと思いますか？"

"最近、在宅時間が長くなって運動不足ではないですか？"

"もし在宅医療が必要になったら、どうしますか？"

Journal Prompts

今日の在宅時間は何をしましたか？詳しく書いてください。

在宅勤務について自分の意見を書いてください。

ずっと在宅していると、どんな気持ちになりますか？

将来、在宅で仕事をしたいと思いますか？その理由は何ですか？

日本の在宅医療の現状について調べて、自分の考えを書いてください。

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

It's a bit stiff. Use 'ie ni iru' instead. Use 'zaitaku' for work or deliveries.

It is both. You can say 'Zaitaku desu' (noun) or 'Zaitaku suru' (verb).

It means 'stay-at-home rate', often used in news about holidays or lockdowns.

You can say 'Fuzai desu' or 'Zaitaku shite orimasen'.

Yes, it applies to any place where you live.

No. 'Taku' specifically means house/home. For school, use 'zaigaku'.

It usually refers to a ceremony held at home, though rare.

No, it just means you are physically present at your home address.

Yes, 'otaku' originally meant 'your house' using the same 'taku' kanji.

No, it's for humans. For pets, say 'ie ni iru'.