住居 in 30 Seconds
- 住居 (jukyo) is a formal Japanese noun meaning 'residence' or 'dwelling', used primarily in official, legal, and professional contexts rather than casual daily speech.
- It is distinct from 住所 (jusho), which means 'address'. 住居 refers to the physical or conceptual place of living, while 住所 is the written location.
- The word is part of the essential '衣食住' (ishokuju) triad, representing the housing component of the basic human necessities: clothing, food, and shelter.
- Commonly found in news reports (e.g., trespassing, disaster damage) and real estate documents, it carries a neutral, objective, and somewhat clinical tone.
The term 住居 (じゅうきょ) is a formal and comprehensive noun in Japanese that refers to a place of residence or a dwelling. Unlike the more common word 家 (ie), which often implies a physical house or a family unit, 住居 focuses on the functional and legal aspect of where someone lives. It is the abstract concept of 'housing' or 'habitation' combined with the physical reality of the structure. The first kanji, 住 (dwell/live), combined with the second kanji, 居 (reside/be present), creates a word that literally means 'the place where one resides.' This word is frequently encountered in official documents, real estate contracts, and news reports where a neutral, professional tone is required. It encompasses everything from a studio apartment to a large mansion, as long as it serves as a person's primary living space.
- Legal Context
- Refers to the registered place of living for tax or census purposes.
- Physical Context
- The actual building or unit providing shelter.
- Social Context
- One of the three basic necessities of life: 衣食住 (Clothing, Food, and Housing).
「彼は新しい住居を探している最中だ。」 (He is currently in the middle of looking for a new residence.)
In the broader sense, 住居 is part of the fundamental triad of human existence in Japanese culture: 衣食住 (ishokuju). This phrase represents clothing (衣), food (食), and housing (住). Within this framework, 住居 represents the stability and security provided by a permanent home. It is not just four walls; it is the legal and social anchor of an individual in society. When we talk about 住居費 (jukyohi), we are talking about the cost of housing as a statistical category. When we discuss 住居侵入 (jukyu shinnyu), we are talking about the legal crime of trespassing into someone's private dwelling. The word carries a weight of formality that 'uchi' or 'ie' lacks.
「住居の確保は生活の基盤である。」 (Securing a residence is the foundation of life.)
- 住居不定 (Jukyo Futei)
- Having no fixed address; homelessness.
- 住居手当 (Jukyo Teate)
- A housing allowance provided by an employer.
Using 住居 correctly requires understanding its register. It is a kango (Sino-Japanese word), which naturally makes it sound more academic or formal than native Japanese words like sumai. You will primarily use it in written Japanese or formal spoken situations. For example, if you are applying for a bank loan, the clerk might ask about your 住居形態 (jukyo keitai)—whether you own your home, rent an apartment, or live in company housing. In this context, using 'ie' would sound slightly too casual or imprecise.
「この地域には、古い住居が多く残っている。」 (Many old dwellings remain in this area.)
Common verb pairings include 住居を構える (jukyo o kamaeru), which means to set up a home or establish a residence, often implying a sense of permanence and pride. Another common phrase is 住居を移す (jukyo o utsusu), a formal way to say 'to move' or 'to change one's residence.' In news reporting, you will often hear about 住居の損壊 (jukyo no sonkai)—damage to dwellings—following a natural disaster like an earthquake or typhoon. Here, the word is used to categorize the physical structures that people live in.
- Verb: 構える (Kamaeru)
- To set up; used with jukyo to mean establishing a home.
- Verb: 移す (Utsusu)
- To move; used with jukyo to mean relocating.
- Verb: 確保する (Kakuho suru)
- To secure; used when finding or maintaining a place to live.
Furthermore, 住居 is often used as a prefix or suffix in compound nouns. 住居表示 (jukyo hyoji) refers to the system of addressing buildings. 住居専用地域 (jukyo sen'yo chiiki) is a zoning term meaning an 'exclusive residential district.' These terms are essential for anyone dealing with real estate, urban development, or legal matters in Japan. Understanding that 住居 is the 'category' of living space helps you navigate these professional environments more effectively.
「住居のプライバシーを守る権利がある。」 (There is a right to protect the privacy of one's dwelling.)
You are most likely to encounter 住居 in the following environments: 1. **Official Forms**: When filling out applications for a residence card (Zairyu Card), health insurance, or a library card, you might see a section for 'Jukyo' or 'Jusho'. 2. **News Media**: Reporters use this word when discussing housing crises, the impact of disasters, or police reports (e.g., 'The suspect was found at his jukyo'). 3. **Real Estate (Fudosan)**: While realtors use 'bukken' (property) for sales, the legal description of the use-case for that property will often be 'jukyo'. 4. **Academic/Sociological Discussions**: When discussing the quality of life or the 'Three Necessities' (衣食住), 住居 is the standard term.
「警察は容疑者の住居を捜索した。」 (The police searched the suspect's residence.)
In literature, 住居 might be used to describe a character's living situation with a certain level of detachment or clinical precision. It lacks the emotional warmth of waga-ya (my home) or furusato (hometown). Instead, it provides a clear, objective picture of a person's habitat. For instance, a detective novel might describe a 'shabby jukyo' to emphasize the character's poverty in a factual way. In contrast, a lifestyle magazine might use 住まい (sumai) to sound more elegant and inviting.
- NHK News
- Frequently uses jukyo when reporting on fire damage or flood victims.
- City Hall (Kuyakusho)
- Uses jukyo in pamphlets regarding residential taxes or trash collection rules.
- Legal Documents
- Uses jukyo to define the scope of private property.
Finally, in the context of architecture and design, 住居学 (jukyogaku) is the study of housing and human habitation. This field looks at how people interact with their living spaces, the history of Japanese dwellings from pit-houses to modern high-rises, and the future of urban living. When you hear the word in a lecture or a documentary, it is usually inviting you to think about the 'home' as a functional, structural, and social unit rather than just a personal space.
「現代の住居は、耐震性が非常に高い。」 (Modern dwellings have very high earthquake resistance.)
The most frequent mistake learners make is confusing 住居 (jukyo) with 住所 (jusho). While they look similar and share the first kanji, they have distinct meanings. 住所 is your 'address'—the text you write on an envelope. 住居 is the 'dwelling'—the physical or conceptual place where you live. You can 'move your jukyo' (change where you live), but you 'write your jusho' (write your address). You cannot live 'inside a jusho,' but you live 'inside a jukyo.'
❌ 「私の住居は東京都新宿区...です。」 (Incorrect: My dwelling is Shinjuku, Tokyo...)
✅ 「私の住所は東京都新宿区...です。」 (Correct: My address is Shinjuku, Tokyo...)
Another mistake is using 住居 in casual conversation where 家 (ie) or 家 (uchi) is more appropriate. Saying 'Come over to my jukyo' sounds like you are inviting someone to a legal entity or a research site. It feels cold and overly formal. Similarly, using 住居 to refer to a specific building you are looking at (e.g., 'That jukyo is beautiful') is less common than using 建物 (tatemono) or 家 (ie). 住居 is better suited for discussing the 'state' of living or 'housing' as a concept.
- Jukyo vs. Jutaku
- Jutaku (住宅) specifically refers to 'housing' as a commodity or building type. Jukyo is more about the act/place of residing.
- Jukyo vs. Sumai
- Sumai (住まい) is a softer, more poetic word for 'living place'.
Finally, be careful with the phrase 住居侵入 (jukyo shinnyu). While it literally means 'entering a dwelling,' it is a specific legal term for trespassing. Don't use it lightly to describe a friend walking into your room without knocking! Using such heavy legal terminology in daily life can make you sound like you are accusing someone of a serious crime. Stick to casual terms like 'katte ni hairu' (entering without permission) for social faux pas.
「住居と住宅の使い分けに注意しましょう。」 (Let's be careful about the distinction between 'jukyo' and 'jutaku'.)
Japanese has many words for 'home' or 'house,' each with a specific nuance. Understanding these will help you choose 住居 only when it is truly the best fit. 1. 家 (Ie/Uchi): The most common word. 'Ie' focuses on the building or the family lineage, while 'uchi' focuses on the inside or the 'circle' of the family. 2. 住宅 (Jutaku): This refers to 'housing' as an industry or a type of building. You see this in 'jutaku-gaisha' (housing company) or 'shugo-jutaku' (apartment complex/collective housing).
「この辺りは住宅街で、静かな住居が多い。」 (This area is a residential district, and there are many quiet dwellings.)
3. 住まい (Sumai): A polite and slightly elegant way to say 'place of living.' It is often used in real estate advertisements or when asking someone politely where they live (o-sumai wa?). 4. 宅 (Taku): Often used as a suffix for someone else's house (e.g., Tanaka-taku) or in formal compounds like jitaku (one's own home). 5. 居所 (居どころ - Idokoro): This refers to a place where one 'is' or 'stays,' often used for temporary locations or a person's whereabouts.
- 住居 (Jukyo)
- Formal, legal, functional dwelling.
- 住宅 (Jutaku)
- Physical housing units, real estate.
- 住まい (Sumai)
- Soft, polite, lifestyle-oriented.
- 家 (Ie)
- General, physical house, family.
Choosing between these depends on who you are talking to. If you are a researcher studying urban density, you will use 住居 and 住宅. If you are a host welcoming a guest, you will use uchi or taku. If you are writing a poem about the place you grew up, you might use sumai or furusato. 住居 remains the 'anchor' word for official, legal, and structural contexts, providing a neutral baseline for all other more emotive terms.
「理想の住まいを求めて、新しい住居を契約した。」 (Seeking the ideal home, I contracted a new residence.)
How Formal Is It?
Difficulty Rating
Grammar to Know
Noun + に + 住む (to live in...)
Noun + を + 構える (to establish...)
衣食住 (the triad of necessities)
~としての住居 (residence as a...)
~における住居 (residence in...)
Examples by Level
ここは私の住居です。
This is my residence.
Simple 'A wa B desu' structure.
住居を探しています。
I am looking for a residence.
Noun + particle 'o' + verb.
新しい住居はどこですか？
Where is your new residence?
Interrogative sentence.
この住居は大きいです。
This residence is big.
Adjective modifying a noun.
住居に帰ります。
I am going back to my residence.
Directional particle 'ni'.
きれいな住居ですね。
It's a beautiful residence, isn't it?
Adjective + noun + sentence ending particle 'ne'.
住居の名前を書いてください。
Please write the name of the residence.
Request form '~te kudasai'.
住居はアパートです。
My residence is an apartment.
Simple noun identification.
住居を決めるのは大変です。
Deciding on a residence is difficult.
Nominalizing a verb phrase with 'no'.
彼は静かな住居を好む。
He prefers a quiet residence.
Transitive verb 'konomu'.
住居の近くに駅があります。
There is a station near the residence.
Existential sentence 'arimasu'.
この住居には庭があります。
This residence has a garden.
Possessive 'ni wa ... ga arimasu'.
住居費を節約したいです。
I want to save on housing costs.
Compound noun 'jukyohi'.
古い住居を修理しました。
I repaired an old residence.
Past tense verb.
住居の鍵をなくしました。
I lost the key to my residence.
Possessive particle 'no'.
住居を移す準備をしています。
I am preparing to move my residence.
Continuous action '~te iru'.
会社から住居手当が支給される。
A housing allowance is provided by the company.
Passive voice 'shikyu sareru'.
住居の安全を確保することが重要だ。
It is important to ensure the safety of the dwelling.
Formal 'koto ga juyo da'.
彼は住居不定の状態で発見された。
He was found in a state of having no fixed address.
Idiomatic compound 'jukyo futei'.
適切な住居を見つけるのは容易ではない。
Finding an appropriate residence is not easy.
Negative formal 'yoi de wa nai'.
住居侵入は法律で禁じられている。
Trespassing into a dwelling is forbidden by law.
Legal terminology.
この地域は住居専用地域に指定されている。
This area is designated as an exclusive residential zone.
Zoning terminology.
住居のプライバシーは守られるべきだ。
The privacy of a residence should be protected.
Auxiliary verb 'beki' (should).
彼女は都心に住居を構えた。
She established a residence in the city center.
Formal phrase 'jukyo o kamaeru'.
住居の耐震基準が強化された。
The earthquake resistance standards for dwellings were strengthened.
Technical noun 'taishin kijun'.
彼は一時的な住居としてホテルを利用した。
He used a hotel as a temporary residence.
Usage of 'toshite' (as).
住居環境の改善が求められている。
Improvements in the living environment are being demanded.
Passive 'motomerarete iru'.
不法な住居侵入に対して警察が動いた。
The police took action against illegal trespassing.
Prepositional 'ni taishite'.
住居の権利を巡る裁判が続いている。
A trial concerning housing rights is continuing.
Grammar 'o meguru' (concerning).
高齢者のためのバリアフリー住居が増えている。
Barrier-free dwellings for the elderly are increasing.
Compound 'barrier-free jukyo'.
住居の形態は時代とともに変化してきた。
The form of dwellings has changed with the times.
Continuous change '~te kita'.
都市部では住居の確保が困難になっている。
Securing a residence is becoming difficult in urban areas.
Resultative 'ni natte iru'.
住居の不可侵は憲法で保障されている。
The inviolability of the dwelling is guaranteed by the constitution.
High-level legal term 'fukashin'.
歴史的な住居跡が発掘された。
Historical remains of dwellings were excavated.
Archaeological term 'jukyo-ato'.
住居政策の抜本的な見直しが必要だ。
A fundamental review of housing policy is necessary.
Political term 'bapponteki'.
彼は住居を転々とする生活を送っている。
He leads a life of moving from one residence to another.
Onomatopoeic adverb 'tenten to'.
住居の美学は住む人の個性を反映する。
The aesthetics of a dwelling reflect the personality of the inhabitant.
Abstract noun 'bigaku'.
災害被災者への仮設住居の提供が急がれる。
The provision of temporary dwellings for disaster victims is urgent.
Passive 'isugareru'.
住居の機能性は、生活の質に直結する。
The functionality of a dwelling is directly linked to the quality of life.
Verb 'chokketsu suru'.
その建築家は、自然と調和する住居を設計した。
The architect designed a residence that harmonizes with nature.
Relative clause modifying 'jukyo'.
住居の概念は、社会構造の変容に伴い再定義されつつある。
The concept of 'dwelling' is being redefined along with the transformation of social structures.
Formal '~ni tomonai' and '~tsutsu aru'.
居住の自由と住居の平穏は、基本的人権の核心である。
Freedom of residence and the peace of the dwelling are at the core of fundamental human rights.
Philosophical legal terminology.
都市の過密化は、住居の極小化という現象を招いた。
Urban overcrowding led to the phenomenon of the 'minimalization' of dwellings.
Causal 'o maneita'.
住居は単なる物理的空間ではなく、精神的な拠り所でもある。
A dwelling is not merely a physical space, but also a spiritual sanctuary.
Contrastive 'tannaru ... de wa naku'.
住居侵入罪の構成要件を厳密に解釈する。
Strictly interpret the constituent elements of the crime of trespassing.
Advanced legal 'kosei yoken'.
住居の変遷を辿ることは、人類史を紐解くことに他ならない。
Tracing the transition of dwellings is nothing less than unravelling human history.
Strong affirmation '~ni hoka naranai'.
持続可能な住居システムの構築が、現代建築の至上命題である。
The construction of sustainable housing systems is the ultimate mission of modern architecture.
Academic term 'shijo meidai'.
住居というミクロな空間に、マクロな社会問題が凝縮されている。
Macro social issues are condensed within the micro space of the dwelling.
Metaphorical usage.
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
Often Confused With
Idioms & Expressions
Easily Confused
Sentence Patterns
How to Use It
Functional and structural focus.
High. Not for casual chat.
Contrast with public spaces or homelessness.
- Confusing 住居 (dwelling) with 住所 (address).
- Using 住居 in a casual conversation with friends.
- Using 住居 for an animal's nest.
- Saying 'jukyo o kaku' (write a dwelling) instead of 'jusho o kaku' (write an address).
- Using 住居 to mean a commercial building like a shop.
Tips
Forms
When you see '住居' on a form, it is asking for the type of housing you live in, not just the address.
Compounds
Learn 'jukyo' as part of 'ishokuju' to remember its fundamental importance in Japanese culture.
Pitch
The pitch drops after the first syllable: JU-ukyo. Practice this to sound more natural.
Particles
Use 'ni' for the location of the jukyo, and 'o' for actions like searching or moving.
Politeness
Never use 'jukyo' to refer to a superior's house; use 'o-sumai' or 'jitaku' instead.
Rights
Understanding 'jukyo' is key to understanding Japanese laws about privacy and property.
Rent
In rental contracts, your apartment is referred to as the 'jukyo' of the tenant.
Archaeology
If you visit a museum, look for 'jukyo' to find exhibits on ancient Japanese homes.
Media
Pay attention to the word 'jukyo' during weather reports about flood or fire risks.
JLPT
This word often appears in N3 and N2 level reading passages about social structures.
Memorize It
Word Origin
Sino-Japanese (Kango)
Cultural Context
Ancient Japanese dwellings like 'Tateana Jukyo' (pit houses) are taught in schools using this term.
Japanese law provides strong protections for the 'jukyo', requiring specific warrants for entry, reflecting a high cultural value on domestic privacy.
Zoning laws in Japan use 'jukyo' categories to maintain quiet neighborhoods, separating them from industrial areas.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
Conversation Starters
"新しい住居は見つかりましたか？ (Did you find a new residence?)"
"住居手当について教えてください。 (Please tell me about the housing allowance.)"
"この辺りの住居環境はどうですか？ (How is the living environment around here?)"
"日本の伝統的な住居に興味がありますか？ (Are you interested in traditional Japanese dwellings?)"
"住居費は給料の何割くらいですか？ (What percentage of your salary is housing costs?)"
Journal Prompts
理想の住居について書いてください。 (Write about your ideal residence.)
今の住居を選んだ理由は何ですか？ (What was the reason you chose your current residence?)
将来、どのような住居に住みたいですか？ (What kind of residence do you want to live in in the future?)
住居のプライバシーについてどう思いますか？ (What do you think about the privacy of a dwelling?)
あなたの国の住居と日本の住居の違いは何ですか？ (What are the differences between residences in your country and Japan?)
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsYes, but only in formal writing or official contexts. Use 'ie' or 'uchi' with friends.
It means 'no fixed address' and is often used by police to describe homeless individuals.
Not exactly. 'Jukyo' is the place of residence (act/place), while 'jutaku' is the housing unit (building/commodity).
It is 'jukyo teate' (住居手当).
No, 'sumika' (住処) or 'su' (巣) is used for animals.
It sounds very robotic. Say 'ie ni kaeru' or 'jitaku ni modoru' instead.
It means 'clothing, food, and housing'—the basics of life.
It is common in newspapers, law, and business, but rare in casual conversation.
It is the legal term for trespassing into a home.
Yes, 'jukyo' covers any type of dwelling, including apartments, houses, and villas.
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Summary
Use '住居' (jukyo) when you need to speak or write about a place of residence in a formal, legal, or statistical capacity. Avoid it in casual conversation with friends, where 'ie' or 'uchi' is more natural, but ensure you recognize it on official forms and news broadcasts.
- 住居 (jukyo) is a formal Japanese noun meaning 'residence' or 'dwelling', used primarily in official, legal, and professional contexts rather than casual daily speech.
- It is distinct from 住所 (jusho), which means 'address'. 住居 refers to the physical or conceptual place of living, while 住所 is the written location.
- The word is part of the essential '衣食住' (ishokuju) triad, representing the housing component of the basic human necessities: clothing, food, and shelter.
- Commonly found in news reports (e.g., trespassing, disaster damage) and real estate documents, it carries a neutral, objective, and somewhat clinical tone.
Forms
When you see '住居' on a form, it is asking for the type of housing you live in, not just the address.
Compounds
Learn 'jukyo' as part of 'ishokuju' to remember its fundamental importance in Japanese culture.
Pitch
The pitch drops after the first syllable: JU-ukyo. Practice this to sound more natural.
Particles
Use 'ni' for the location of the jukyo, and 'o' for actions like searching or moving.
Example
新しい住居を探すために不動産屋へ行った。
Related Content
Related Phrases
More social words
欠席
B1Failure to be present at a place or event where one is expected, such as a school, workplace, or meeting.
祝賀
B2The act of celebrating a happy or auspicious event.
意思疎通
B2The mutual understanding and exchange of thoughts or intentions between people; effective communication.
連絡先
B1Information such as a phone number or email address that allows someone to be contacted. Vital for any communication-based task.
交流
B1The act of people or groups interacting and exchanging ideas, culture, or friendship. Also refers to alternating current in physics.
隔たり
B2A gap, distance, or disparity between two things, whether physical, temporal, or conceptual (like opinions or wealth).
苦労
B1Hardship, trouble, or great effort experienced while trying to achieve something. Used to talk about personal experiences or challenges.
招待
B1The act of inviting someone to an event, a meal, or a specific place.
生活様式
B2The way in which a person or group lives, including patterns of social relations, consumption, entertainment, and dress.
勧誘
B2The act of inviting or persuading someone to join a group, buy a product, or participate in an activity. It is often used for club recruitment or sales solicitation.
