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B1 noun 9 min read

同居

doukyo

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips 同居 in 30 Seconds

Explanation 同居 in your Level:

At the A1 level, you can think of **同居 (dōkyo)** as a fancy way to say 'living together.' While you usually learn 'issho ni sumu' first, you might see **同居** on simple forms or in very basic stories about families. Imagine a picture of a big house with many people inside: that is **同居**. It is made of 'same' (同) and 'live' (居). Even at this level, it's good to know that Japanese has special words for living with others versus living alone. You don't need to use it in every sentence, but recognizing it when you see it on a door sign or a simple family tree is helpful. It's a noun that acts like a verb when you add 'suru.' So, 'dōkyo suru' means 'to live together.'

At the A2 level, you should start distinguishing between different ways of living. While 'sumu' is your go-to verb, **同居 (dōkyo)** is useful when you want to specifically mention that you share a home with someone else. For example, 'I live with my parents' can be said as 'Ryōshin to **dōkyo** shite imasu.' This sounds a bit more grown-up than just saying 'I live in my parents' house.' You will also encounter the word **同居人 (dōkyonin)**, which means 'the person I live with.' This is very common when you are talking about roommates or people in your apartment. It's a neutral word, so it doesn't tell people if you are friends or just sharing rent—it just states the fact that you share the same address.

At the B1 level, **同居 (dōkyo)** becomes a key vocabulary word for discussing social issues and family life in Japan. You should understand the cultural nuance: **同居** often implies living with one's elderly parents or in-laws, a common practice in Japan known as 'multi-generational living.' You will also need to distinguish **同居** from **同棲 (dōsei)**. Remember: **同居** is for anyone (family, friends, roommates), while **同棲** is strictly for romantic partners who aren't married. If you use the wrong one, you might accidentally tell someone you are dating your brother! You'll also see this word in news reports about housing costs or the aging population, where 'living together' is a solution to financial or health problems.

At the B2 level, you are expected to use **同居 (dōkyo)** in both literal and figurative contexts. Literally, you might discuss the legal implications of **同居** in rental contracts or tax deductions for dependents living in the same house. Figuratively, you will see it in literature or advanced essays to describe the 'coexistence' of conflicting ideas or styles. For example, 'This city is a place where tradition and technology **dōkyo** (coexist).' You should also be familiar with related terms like 'nisei-setai' (two-generation households) and how **同居** affects household dynamics. At this level, you should be able to debate the pros and cons of **同居** with in-laws, using the term naturally in a conversation about Japanese social structures.

At the C1 level, you should have a nuanced grasp of **同居 (dōkyo)** within the framework of Japanese law and sociology. You'll encounter it in discussions about the Civil Code (Minpō) regarding the duty of support between relatives who live together. You should be able to analyze how the concept of **同居** has shifted from the traditional 'ie' system to modern 'share houses' and 'social apartments.' Furthermore, you'll recognize the word in biological or scientific texts where it refers to symbiosis or the presence of multiple elements within a single structure. Your usage should be precise, choosing **同居** when the focus is on the shared physical space and the objective relationship between the residents, as opposed to more emotive terms.

At the C2 level, **同居 (dōkyo)** is a tool for sophisticated discourse. You can use it to describe complex philosophical states where paradoxical elements reside within the same entity. You will understand the deep historical roots of the term and its evolution in legal terminology through various eras of Japanese history. You should be able to read and interpret complex lease agreements, inheritance laws, and sociological research papers where **同居** is a defined variable. Whether you are discussing the 'dōkyo' of different ethnicities in a multicultural society or the technicalities of household registration for non-traditional families, you use the word with total precision, aware of every subtle connotation and its impact on the listener or reader.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

同居 in 30 Seconds

同居 (dōkyo) is the standard Japanese term for sharing a home with others, whether they are family, friends, or roommates.
It is more formal and objective than the phrase 'issho ni sumu' and is the required term for legal paperwork.
Unlike 'dōsei' (romantic cohabitation), 'dōkyo' is neutral and does not imply a romantic relationship between the residents.
It is commonly used to describe multi-generational households, a significant aspect of traditional and modern Japanese family life.

The Japanese word 同居 (dōkyo) is a fundamental term used to describe the act of living together in the same residence. Etymologically, it is composed of two kanji: 同 (dō), meaning 'same' or 'identical,' and 居 (kyo), meaning 'to reside,' 'to dwell,' or 'to be present.' Together, they literally translate to 'same residence.' While in English we might use different words depending on the relationship—such as 'rooming with someone,' 'living with parents,' or 'cohabiting' with a partner—the Japanese word dōkyo covers all these scenarios under one umbrella, though it often carries a slightly more formal or objective tone than the casual verb issho ni sumu (living together).

Formal Contexts: In legal documents, census forms, and rental agreements, 同居人 (dōkyonin) refers to any person living in the same household who is not the primary leaseholder or head of household. This is the standard term used by government officials.
Family Dynamics: In Japanese culture, dōkyo frequently refers to the traditional arrangement of multi-generational living, specifically when a married couple lives with one set of parents (usually the husband's). This is a significant social topic regarding elder care and family obligations.
Romantic Relationships: While dōsei (同棲) is specifically used for unmarried romantic partners living together, dōkyo is the broader, more clinical term. If you want to sound strictly factual without implying a romantic 'shacking up' vibe, dōkyo is the safer choice.

結婚してから、義理の両親と同居しています。
(Kekkon shite kara, giri no ryōshin to dōkyo shite imasu.)
Since getting married, I have been living together with my parents-in-law.

The term is also used in biological and scientific contexts to describe different species inhabiting the same environment or cells containing multiple nuclei. In the modern era, the rise of 'share houses' in urban centers like Tokyo has brought dōkyo back into the daily vocabulary of young people who might not be living with family but are sharing space with strangers or friends to save on the high cost of rent. This shift from 'family-only' cohabitation to 'social' cohabitation is a major trend in contemporary Japanese society.

猫と犬が仲良く同居している。
(Neko to inu ga nakayoku dōkyo shite iru.)
The cat and dog are living together harmoniously.

Key Collocations: 同居生活 (Dōkyo seikatsu): Life spent living together.
同居を解消する (Dōkyo o kaishō suru): To stop living together/move out.

Using 同居 (dōkyo) correctly requires understanding its grammatical flexibility as a suru-verb and its role as a noun. Generally, it follows the pattern [Person A] ga [Person B] to dōkyo suru (Person A lives with Person B). It is important to note that the particle と (to) is essential here as it indicates the partner in the living arrangement.

彼は祖母と同居して、彼女の世話をしています。
(Kare wa sobo to dōkyo shite, kanojo no sewa o shite imasu.)
He lives with his grandmother and takes care of her.

When using it as a noun, it often appears in compound words or as the subject/object of a sentence. For example, dōkyo no jōken (conditions for living together) or dōkyo o hajimeru (to start living together). In Japan, the decision to 'dōkyo' with parents is often a major life milestone discussed during marriage negotiations. It implies a long-term, stable arrangement rather than a temporary stay.

Verb Usage: 同居する: Used for the action of living together.
Example: 兄の家族と同居することになった。 (It was decided that I would live with my brother's family.)
Noun Usage: 同居: Used for the state or concept of cohabitation.
Example: 同居のメリットとデメリットを考える。 (Consider the pros and cons of living together.)

In more complex sentences, dōkyo can be used to describe abstract concepts. For instance, in literature, a writer might say that 'hope and despair live together' (kibō to deshibō ga dōkyo shite iru) within a character's heart. This metaphorical use elevates the word from simple housing terminology to a more literary expression of coexistence.

この古い家には、歴史と現代が同居している。
(Kono furui ie ni wa, rekishi to gendai ga dōkyo shite iru.)
In this old house, history and modernity coexist.

You will encounter 同居 (dōkyo) in a variety of real-world Japanese settings, ranging from mundane administrative tasks to high-stakes family dramas. One of the most common places is at the kuyakusho (city ward office). When registering your address (jūminhyō), you must specify your relationship to the head of the household. If you are not a relative but live there, you are listed as a dōkyonin.

「住民票の同居人欄に記入してください。」
("Jūminhyō no dōkyonin-ran ni kinyū shite kudasai.")
"Please fill in the cohabitant column of the residency certificate."

In Japanese media, particularly asadora (morning dramas) or family-themed movies, dōkyo is a recurring plot point. It often represents the tension between the traditional 'ie' (house) system and modern individualistic values. A young bride might express anxiety about dōkyo with her mother-in-law, a trope so common it has its own subgenre of advice columns in magazines like Very or Orange Page.

News & Sociology: News reports on the '8050 problem' (80-year-old parents supporting 50-year-old hikikomori children) frequently use 同居 to describe the living situation. It highlights the economic dependency often involved in these arrangements.
Real Estate: When searching for apartments on sites like Suumo or Homes, you might see filters for 二人入居可 (two-person occupancy allowed) which essentially permits 同居. This is crucial as many Japanese 'one-room' apartments strictly forbid having anyone else live with you.

Furthermore, in the context of pets, 'pet dōkyo' (petto dōkyo) is a common phrase used in apartment listings to signify that animals are welcome to 'reside' with the human tenants. This highlights the word's versatility—it isn't limited to humans living with humans, but any living beings sharing a domestic space.

One of the most frequent errors learners make is using 同居 (dōkyo) when they actually mean 同棲 (dōsei). While both mean 'living together,' the social connotations are vastly different. Using dōkyo to describe living with a boyfriend or girlfriend sounds like you are roommates or that you are living in a formal, perhaps family-approved arrangement. Conversely, dōsei specifically implies a romantic, sexual relationship between unmarried partners.

❌ 彼女と同居している。
(Kanojo to dōkyo shite iru.)
I am living with my girlfriend (Sounds like a roommate situation or very clinical).

✅ 彼女と同棲している。
(Kanojo to dōsei shite iru.)
I am cohabiting with my girlfriend (Standard romantic term).

Another mistake involves the particle usage. Some learners try to use ni (at) instead of to (with). While you live at a house (ie ni sumu), you dōkyo with a person. Therefore, Tanaka-san to dōkyo suru is correct, but Tanaka-san ni dōkyo suru is grammatically incorrect.

Confusion with 'Sumu' (住む): Learners often default to 住む (sumu) for everything. While 住む is the general verb for living somewhere, 同居 specifically highlights the shared nature of the living arrangement. If you want to emphasize that you aren't living alone, 同居 is the word to use.
Misusing 'Dōkyonin': Calling your spouse your 同居人 (dōkyonin) in a social setting is very strange. It's like calling your husband 'the male resident of my house.' Use 主人 (shujin) or 夫 (otto) instead. 同居人 is for non-relatives or for bureaucratic forms.

Finally, be careful with the kanji. Dōkyo (同居) uses the kanji for 'reside' (居). Don't confuse it with Dōko (同行), which means 'going together' or 'accompanying.' They sound similar but describe completely different actions—one is about where you sleep, the other is about where you are walking.

To truly master 同居 (dōkyo), you should understand how it compares to other Japanese words for living and residing. Japanese has a high degree of specificity when it comes to social arrangements, and choosing the wrong word can lead to misunderstandings about your relationship status or living conditions.

同棲 (Dōsei) vs. 同居 (Dōkyo): 同棲: Specifically for romantic partners living together without being married. It carries a sense of 'playing house' or a trial marriage.
同居: A broad, neutral term for anyone living under the same roof, including family, roommates, or even pets.
一人暮らし (Hitorigurashi) vs. 同居 (Dōkyo): 一人暮らし: Living alone. This is the direct antonym of 同居 in a social context. Many young Japanese people strive for 一人暮らし as a sign of independence.
居候 (Isōrō): This is a more colorful term for someone who lives in another person's house without paying rent, often like a 'freeloader' or a 'dependent guest.' While an isōrō is technically dōkyo-ing, the social status is much lower.

「今は友人宅に居候していますが、来月から同居人として契約します。」
("Ima wa yūjin-taku ni isōrō shite imasu ga, raigetsu kara dōkyonin to shite keiyaku shimasu.")
"Currently, I'm freeloading at a friend's house, but from next month, I'll sign a contract as a cohabitant."

Other alternatives include kyōdō seikatsu (共同生活), which means 'communal living' or 'group life.' This is often used for dormitories, military barracks, or shared housing where the focus is on the shared lifestyle and rules rather than just the fact of being in the same building. If you are describing a 'share house' experience, kyōdō seikatsu might be more descriptive of the daily reality than the legalistic dōkyo.

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

In ancient Japan, 'kyo' (居) also referred to a person's social standing or 'place' in the world, not just their physical house.

Pronunciation Guide

UK dəʊ.kjɒ

US doʊ.kjoʊ

Flat pitch (Heiban) in standard Japanese. Both syllables have equal weight.

Rhymes With

Tokyo (東京) Kōkyō (公共) Bōkyo (暴挙) Sōkyo (壮挙) Chōkyo (長居 - related) Rokyo (露居) Hōkyo (法居) Gōkyo (傲居)

Common Errors

Pronouncing it as 'Dok-yo' (shortening the first 'o'). It must be 'Dō-kyo'.
Confusing it with 'Dōko' (同行).
Mixing up 'kyo' with 'ko' or 'ku'.
Stress on the first syllable like English 'DOH-kyo' instead of flat Japanese pitch.
Misreading the kanji 居 as 古 (ko).

Difficulty Rating

Reading 3/5

Kanji are common but 'kyo' can be confused with other similar characters.

Writing 3/5

Writing 'kyo' (居) requires attention to stroke order.

Speaking 2/5

Easy to pronounce with flat pitch.

Listening 2/5

Distinct sound, unlikely to be confused with many other words.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

同じ住む家族友達家

Learn Next

同棲別居世帯住民票賃貸

Advanced

扶助内縁扶養戸籍居住権

Grammar to Know

Suru-verbs

同居する、勉強する、散歩する

Particle 'To' for partnership

友達と住む、親と同居する

Noun + No + Noun

同居の理由、学校の先生

State of being (~te iru)

同居している、住んでいる

Deciding on an action (koto ni suru/naru)

同居することにした

Examples by Level

家族と同居しています。

I live together with my family.

Uses the particle 'to' to mean 'with'.

猫と同居するのは楽しいです。

Living with a cat is fun.

Here, 'dōkyo suru no' makes the verb a noun phrase (living).

彼は友達と同居しています。

He lives with a friend.

Standard present continuous form 'shite imasu'.

同居人は誰ですか？

Who is the person you live with?

Uses 'dōkyonin' as a noun meaning 'cohabitant'.

一人暮らしですか、同居ですか？

Do you live alone or with someone?

Contrasts 'hitorigurashi' and 'dōkyo'.

犬と猫が同居しています。

A dog and a cat live together.

Shows animals can be the subject of 'dōkyo'.

おじいちゃんと同居しています。

I live with my grandpa.

Common family usage.

同居は大変ですか？

Is living together difficult?

Uses 'dōkyo' as a simple noun subject.

来月から彼女の両親と同居することになりました。

It has been decided that I will live with her parents from next month.

Uses 'koto ni narimashita' to show a decision made.

同居人の名前を書いてください。

Please write the name of the person you live with.

Typical administrative request.

兄夫婦と同居するのは少し気を使います。

Living with my brother and his wife requires a bit of care/restraint.

'Ki o tsukau' means to be cautious or considerate.

私たちは同じアパートで同居しています。

We live together in the same apartment.

Emphasizes the shared location.

同居生活にはルールが必要です。

Rules are necessary for living together.

'Dōkyo seikatsu' is a common compound noun.

彼はペット不可のマンションで同居しています。

He is living with [someone/something] in a no-pets-allowed apartment.

Highlights the 'sharing' aspect.

同居を始めてから一ヶ月が経ちました。

One month has passed since we started living together.

'Dōkyo o hajimeru' means to start cohabiting.

祖母との同居は賑やかで良いです。

Living with my grandmother is lively and good.

Positive connotation of family life.

将来、親と同居するかどうか悩んでいます。

I am worried about whether or not to live with my parents in the future.

'Ka dō ka' expresses 'whether or not'.

同居することで家賃を節約できます。

You can save on rent by living together.

'Koto de' indicates the means or reason.

彼は同居人に無断で友達を泊まらせた。

He let a friend stay over without the roommate's permission.

'Mudan de' means without permission.

結婚前に同棲ではなく同居を選ぶカップルもいる。

Some couples choose cohabitation (neutral) rather than 'living together' (romantic) before marriage.

Contrasts 'dōsei' and 'dōkyo' nuances.

この家は二世帯同居を想定して建てられました。

This house was built assuming two-generation cohabitation.

'Sōtei shite' means assuming/presupposing.

同居している義母との関係に苦労しています。

I am struggling with the relationship with my mother-in-law who I live with.

'Gibo' is mother-in-law.

住民票には同居人と記載されています。

It is recorded as 'cohabitant' on the residency certificate.

'Kisai sarete iru' is the passive form of 'to record'.

シェアハウスでの同居はプライバシーが少ない。

Living together in a share house offers little privacy.

Discusses a modern social trend.

この地域では、三世代同居が一般的です。

In this region, three-generation cohabitation is common.

'Sansedai dōkyo' refers to 3 generations.

同居を解消する際の手続きを確認した。

I checked the procedures for ending the cohabitation.

'Dōkyo o kaishō suru' is a formal way to say move out.

彼の心の中には、自身と不安が同居している。

Within his heart, confidence and anxiety coexist.

Metaphorical/abstract use of the word.

同居義務を怠ったとして訴えられた。

He was sued for neglecting the duty of cohabitation.

Refers to legal marital obligations in Japan.

都市部では、他人との同居が珍しくなくなった。

In urban areas, living with strangers has become common.

Double negative 'mezurashiku naku natta'.

同居によるストレスで体調を崩した。

I fell ill due to the stress of living together.

'Ni yoru' indicates the cause.

この建築は、和と洋が絶妙に同居している。

This architecture is an exquisite coexistence of Japanese and Western styles.

Descriptive use in art/design.

介護のために同居を決断した。

I decided to live together for the sake of nursing care.

'Ketsudan suru' is a strong word for decision.

核家族化が進む一方で、経済的理由から同居を選ぶ若者が増えている。

While nuclearization of families progresses, the number of young people choosing cohabitation for economic reasons is increasing.

'Ippō de' expresses contrast.

民法上の同居、協力及び扶助の義務について学ぶ。

Learn about the duties of cohabitation, cooperation, and support under the Civil Code.

Highly formal legal context.

多文化共生社会において、異質な価値観の同居は避けられない。

In a multicultural society, the coexistence of diverse values is inevitable.

Sociological/academic context.

同居親と別居親の間の葛藤が子供に与える影響を考察する。

Consider the impact of the conflict between the cohabiting parent and the separated parent on children.

Psychological/legal terminology.

この小説には、残酷さと美しさが同居している。

In this novel, cruelty and beauty coexist.

Literary analysis.

同居人の同意なしに契約を変更することはできない。

It is not possible to change the contract without the cohabitant's consent.

Contractual language.

細胞内での共生関係は、一種の同居と言える。

Symbiotic relationships within cells can be called a type of cohabitation.

Scientific analogy.

孤独死を防ぐため、高齢者同士の同居を支援する動きがある。

There is a movement to support cohabitation among the elderly to prevent solitary deaths.

Policy/social welfare context.

封建的な「家」制度における同居の強制は、近代化とともに終焉を迎えた。

The forced cohabitation under the feudal 'ie' system came to an end with modernization.

Historical/sociological analysis.

精神分析において、自我と超自我の同居は常に緊張を伴う。

In psychoanalysis, the coexistence of the ego and superego always involves tension.

Theoretical/academic use.

判例によれば、内縁関係における同居は婚姻に準ずる保護を受ける。

According to judicial precedents, cohabitation in a common-law marriage receives protection equivalent to marriage.

Legal expertise.

都市の喧騒と静寂が同居するこの裏通りが好きだ。

I like this back alley where the city's bustle and silence coexist.

Poetic/evocative description.

同居生活の破綻が、必ずしも離婚の直接的原因とは限らない。

The breakdown of cohabitation is not necessarily the direct cause of divorce.

Complex logical structure.

グローバル化は、地域固有の文化と外来文化の同居を強いる。

Globalization forces the coexistence of local cultures and foreign cultures.

Macro-social perspective.

法的な同居人と実態としての同居人が異なる場合、税務上の問題が生じる。

When the legal cohabitant and the actual cohabitant differ, tax issues arise.

Technical administrative nuance.

詩人は、言葉の中に相反する感情を同居させる名人である。

The poet is a master at making contradictory emotions coexist within words.

Metaphorical expertise.

Common Collocations

同居人

同居生活

二世帯同居

同居を始める

同居を解消する

同居を迫る

同居の条件

ペットと同居

強制同居

同居義務

Common Phrases

親と同居

— Living with parents. A common life stage or social topic.

親と同居しているので、家賃がかかりません。

同居中

— Currently living together. Used in status updates or forms.

現在、友人と同居中です。

同居を断る

— To refuse to live together. Often used regarding in-laws.

義理の両親からの同居の誘いを断った。

三世代同居

— Three generations living under one roof.

三世代同居は、育児の助けになります。

同居の許可

— Permission to live together (e.g., from a landlord).

大家さんに同居の許可をもらった。

同居を検討する

— To consider living together.

将来の同居を真剣に検討している。

同居人のサイン

— The cohabitant's signature.

書類に同居人のサインが必要です。

同居を強いる

— To force someone to live together.

子供に同居を強いるのは良くない。

円満な同居

— Harmonious cohabitation.

円満な同居の秘訣は何ですか？

同居を解消

— Ending the living arrangement.

引っ越しをして、同居を解消した。

Often Confused With

同居 vs 同棲 (Dōsei)

Dōsei is romantic; Dōkyo is neutral/broad.

同居 vs 同行 (Dōko)

Dōko means going somewhere together; Dōkyo means living together.

同居 vs 同級 (Dōkyū)

Dōkyū means same grade/class; Dōkyo means same house.

Idioms & Expressions

"呉越同舟"

— Enemies in the same boat. While not using 'dōkyo', it's the conceptual relative of being forced to share space with rivals.

呉越同舟の状態でプロジェクトを進める。

Literary

"一つ屋根の下"

— Under one roof. The idiomatic way to describe living together.

私たちは一つ屋根の下で暮らしている。

Neutral

"同じ釜の飯を食う"

— Eating from the same pot. Implies a deep bond formed by living/working together.

彼とは同じ釜の飯を食った仲だ。

Informal

"同居のよしみを結ぶ"

— To form a bond through living together.

同居のよしみを結んで、助け合う。

Formal

"屋上屋を架す"

— Building a roof on top of a roof. Redundancy (metaphorically living on top of each other).

その説明は屋上屋を架すようなものだ。

Literary

"水と油"

— Like water and oil. Used for people who 'dōkyo' but don't get along.

あの二人は同居しているが、水と油だ。

Informal

"犬猿の仲"

— Like dogs and monkeys. For roommates who fight constantly.

同居しているが、彼らは犬猿の仲だ。

Informal

"阿吽の呼吸"

— Perfect synchronicity. The ideal state for 'dōkyo'.

長年の同居で、二人は阿吽の呼吸だ。

Neutral

"軒を貸して母屋を取られる"

— Lending the eaves and having the main house taken. A warning about letting someone 'dōkyo'.

居候をさせたら、軒を貸して母屋を取られた。

Literary

"住めば都"

— Wherever you live is the capital. Comfort in any 'dōkyo' situation.

最初は嫌だった同居も、住めば都だ。

Neutral

Easily Confused

同居 vs 住む (Sumu)

Both mean living.

Sumu is the general verb for residing; Dōkyo specifically means sharing that residence with someone else.

東京に住む (Live in Tokyo) vs. 友達と同居する (Live with a friend).

同居 vs 居住 (Kyojū)

Both involve residing.

Kyojū is very formal/technical for 'residing' in a place; Dōkyo is about the 'with whom'.

居住地 (Place of residence) vs. 同居人 (Cohabitant).

同居 vs 同席 (Dōseki)

Both start with 'Dō'.

Dōseki means sitting at the same table/seat; Dōkyo is about living in the same house.

彼と同席した (I sat with him) vs. 彼と同居した (I lived with him).

同居 vs 共同 (Kyōdō)

Both mean 'together'.

Kyōdō is a prefix for 'joint' or 'communal' (like joint ownership); Dōkyo is specifically about housing.

共同購入 (Joint purchase) vs. 同居 (Cohabitation).

同居 vs 宿泊 (Shukuhaku)

Both involve staying in a place.

Shukuhaku is temporary (like at a hotel); Dōkyo is long-term/permanent living.

ホテルに宿泊する (Stay at a hotel) vs. 実家で同居する (Live at the parental home).

Sentence Patterns

[Person] と同居しています。

母と同居しています。

[Person] と同居することになりました。

兄夫婦と同居することになりました。

[Person] と同居するのは [Adjective] です。

知らない人と同居するのは不安です。

同居の [Noun] を [Verb]。

同居の許可をもらう。

同居によって [Result]。

同居によって生活費が減った。

[Concept A] と [Concept B] が同居している。

この街には新旧が同居している。

同居人としての [Duty/Right]。

同居人としての権利を主張する。

同居の事実をもって [Legal Result]。

同居の事実をもって婚姻関係とみなす。

Word Family

Nouns

同居人 (Cohabitant)

同居生活 (Life together)

同居義務 (Duty of cohabitation)

Verbs

同居する (To live together)

同居させる (To make someone live together)

Adjectives

同居中の (Currently cohabiting)

同棲

居住

別居

一人暮らし

共同

How to Use It

frequency

Common in both daily life and official settings.

Common Mistakes

彼女と同居している (Kanojo to dōkyo shite iru) → 彼女と同棲している (Kanojo to dōsei shite iru)
Using 'dōkyo' for a romantic partner sounds too clinical or like you are just roommates. 'Dōsei' is the correct romantic term.
田中さんに同居する (Tanaka-san ni dōkyo suru) → 田中さんと同居する (Tanaka-san to dōkyo suru)
You live 'with' (to) someone, not 'at' (ni) them. The particle 'to' is required.
一人で同居している (Hitori de dōkyo shite iru) → 一人暮らしをしている (Hitorigurashi o shite iru)
'Dōkyo' literally means living *together*. You cannot 'dōkyo' alone.
同居を住む (Dōkyo o sumu) → 同居する (Dōkyo suru)
'Dōkyo' already contains the meaning of living. You don't need 'sumu' after it. Use it as a suru-verb.
同居人をする (Dōkyonin o suru) → 同居人になる / 同居する (Dōkyonin ni naru / Dōkyo suru)
You don't 'do' a cohabitant; you 'are' one or you 'live together'.

Tips

Forms and Docs

Always use 同居人 (dōkyonin) when a Japanese form asks for people living with you. It is the official term.

In-law Nuance

If someone says they are 'dōkyo' with their in-laws, it often implies they are providing care or fulfilling a family duty.

Verb vs Noun

Remember that 同居 is a noun. To make it a verb, you must add 'suru'. You can't just say 'Watashi wa dōkyo'.

Antonym Check

If you want to say you moved out, use 'dōkyo o kaishō suru' or 'hitorigurashi o hajimeru'.

Long Vowels

The 'ō' in 'dō' is long. Practice saying 'do-o-kyo' to get the length right; it shouldn't sound like 'dokyo'.

Apartment Hunting

Look for '二人入居可' (two-person entry allowed) in listings if you plan on 'dōkyo' with someone.

Avoid Romantic Confusion

If you are living with a partner, using 'dōkyo' might make people think you are just roommates. Use 'dōsei' to be clear about the romance.

Kanji Meaning

The kanji 居 appears in 'iru' (to be). Think of 'dōkyo' as 'being in the same place'.

Metaphorical Use

Use 'dōkyo' to describe things like 'tradition and modernity' coexisting in a design or city.

Mnemonic

Associate 'Dō' with 'Dorm'. You live in a 'Dorm' with others, which is a type of 'Dōkyo'.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of **DO** (same) and **KYO** (Tokyo). Imagine two people in the **SAME** house in **TOKYO**. That is **DŌKYO**.

Visual Association

Visualize a single house icon with two stick figures inside holding a sign that says 'SAME'.

Word Web

House Roommate Family Share Rent Address Together Reside

Challenge

Try to find the 'Dōkyonin' section on a Japanese residency form online or in a textbook.

Word Origin

Derived from Middle Chinese. The kanji '同' (together/same) and '居' (to sit/reside) have been used in Japanese for over a millennium.

Original meaning: To sit together or reside in the same place.

Sino-Japanese (Kango).

Cultural Context

Be careful when asking if someone is 'dōkyo' with their partner; use 'dōsei' if you know they are romantic, as 'dōkyo' can sound like you're ignoring their relationship.

In the West, we often distinguish between 'living with parents,' 'roommates,' and 'cohabiting.' Japanese uses 'dōkyo' for all three in formal speech.

The reality show 'Terrace House' is a prime example of 'dōkyo'. The movie 'Tokyo Story' deals with the themes of 'dōkyo' and family neglect. The manga 'Nana' depicts the 'dōkyo' of two girls with the same name.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

At the City Office

同居人の登録
世帯主と同居
住民票の記載
住所変更

Real Estate Agency

二人同居可
ペット同居相談
同居人の審査
ルームシェア相談

Family Discussions

親との同居
同居のメリット
二世帯住宅
介護のための同居

Legal/Tax Forms

同居親族
扶養義務
同居特別障害者
同居の証明

Social Situations

同居人は誰？
同居生活はどう？
同居を解消した
一人暮らしより同居

Conversation Starters

"「今は一人暮らしですか、それとも誰かと同居していますか？」 (Do you live alone now, or do you live with someone?)"

"「将来、自分の親と同居したいと思いますか？」 (Do you want to live with your parents in the future?)"

"「同居人と家事をどうやって分担していますか？」 (How do you split chores with your cohabitant?)"

"「日本で二世帯同居が減っている理由は何だと思いますか？」 (Why do you think two-generation cohabitation is decreasing in Japan?)"

"「ペットと同居するために必要なことは何ですか？」 (What is necessary for living with a pet?)"

Journal Prompts

「同居」のメリットとデメリットについて、自分の経験を交えて書いてください。 (Write about the pros and cons of 'dōkyo' based on your experience.)

もし知らない人と「同居」しなければならなくなったら、どんなルールを作りますか？ (If you had to live with a stranger, what rules would you make?)

日本の「同居」文化と自分の国の文化を比較してください。 (Compare the Japanese 'dōkyo' culture with your own country's culture.)

理想の「同居人」はどんな人ですか？詳しく説明してください。 (What is your ideal cohabitant? Explain in detail.)

「同居」を解消した時の気持ちや理由について書いてください。 (Write about the feelings or reasons when you ended a living arrangement.)

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

Yes, 'dōkyo' is perfectly acceptable for roommates, especially in formal contexts like lease agreements. However, in casual conversation, many people use 'rūmu-shea' (room share).

No, it can be used for pets living with humans, or even different species living together in nature. It can also be used metaphorically for ideas.

'Dōsei' (同棲) is specifically for unmarried romantic partners. 'Dōkyo' (同居) is a general term for anyone living together, including family and friends.

Yes, multi-generational 'dōkyo' (living with parents) is a traditional practice that still exists, though it is becoming less common in big cities.

You use the word 'hitorigurashi' (一人暮らし). This is the standard opposite of 'dōkyo'.

It means 'cohabitant' or 'person living with you.' You should list anyone who shares your address but isn't the head of the household.

Generally, no. 'Dōkyo' implies a stable, long-term living arrangement. For a short stay, use 'tomaru' (to stay over) or 'shukuhaku'.

Yes, it is a neutral, standard word. It is more formal than 'issho ni sumu' but not overly stiff.

No, it just means sharing the same house or apartment unit. You could have separate bedrooms and still be 'dōkyo'.

It refers to 'two-generation cohabitation,' where parents and their adult children's family live in the same house, often designed with separate living areas.