When you're learning Japanese, you'll find that words like ご近所 (gokinjo) are really useful for talking about everyday life. This word literally means 'neighborhood' or 'the people living in an area.' Think of it as a way to refer to the local community around you. You might use it when talking about where you live or the people who live nearby.
It's a polite way to talk about your surroundings and the folks who are your neighbors. For example, if you want to say 'my neighbors,' you could use this word. It helps you describe the environment you live in and the people you share it with.
When you're at the B1 level in Japanese, you're starting to have more detailed conversations. Understanding words like 「ご近所」 (gokinjo) helps you talk about your daily life and community. This word refers to your immediate neighborhood or the people who live nearby.
It's super practical for discussing local events, asking for directions, or simply describing where you live. Knowing this term allows you to engage more deeply in everyday Japanese interactions. It shows you can handle common social topics with more confidence.
When talking about the general area where you live, you can use the word ご近所 (gokinjo). It refers to the immediate surroundings and the people who live there. For example, if you want to say hello to your neighbors, you would use this term. It can also refer to the community or neighborhood itself. Understanding ご近所 is useful for discussing local life and interactions.
When talking about the general area where you live, you can use 「ご近所」. It refers to your immediate surroundings or the people living there. For example, if you want to say hello to your neighbors, you might say 「ご近所の方にご挨拶する」.
It's often used with the honorific prefix 「ご」 to show respect, especially when referring to other people's neighborhoods or neighbors. You might hear it in phrases like 「ご近所付き合い」 (neighborly relations) or 「ご近所迷惑」 (bothering one's neighbors). Although it technically includes the area, the nuance often leans towards the community of people rather than just the physical space.
When talking about the general area where you live, you can use 「ご近所」 (go-kinjo). This refers to your immediate surroundings, like the houses and people nearby.
You might hear it in phrases like 「ご近所付き合い」 (go-kinjo tsukiai), which means neighborly relations, or 「ご近所迷惑」 (go-kinjo meiwaku), referring to a nuisance to your neighbors.
It's a useful word for discussing community and local interactions in Japan.
ご近所 in 30 Seconds
- B1
- Neighborhood
- Local residents
§ What ご近所 (gokinjo) means and how it's used
Let's break down ご近所 (gokinjo). Simply put, it means 'neighborhood' or 'neighbors'. It's a useful word because it covers both the physical area and the people who live there. Think of it as 'the local area and its inhabitants'.
- DEFINITION
- The area immediately surrounding one's home, and also the people who live in that area.
When do people use ご近所? It comes up in everyday conversations about local life, community, and social interactions. You'll hear it when people talk about neighborhood events, asking for help, or even discussing local gossip. It's often used with a sense of connection and community, even if that connection is just about living close by. The 'ご' (go) prefix makes it a polite, slightly formal way to refer to the neighborhood, showing respect.
Here are some common scenarios where ご近所 (gokinjo) is used:
- Talking about your neighbors: "ご近所の皆さんと仲良くしていますか？" (Are you getting along with your neighbors?)
- Referring to the local community: "ご近所で新しいお店がオープンしました。" (A new shop opened in the neighborhood.)
- Discussing neighborhood activities: "ご近所の運動会に参加しました。" (I participated in the neighborhood sports day.)
- When asking for a favor from someone nearby: "ご近所の方に手伝ってもらいました。" (I got help from someone in the neighborhood.)
It's important to understand the nuance. ご近所 (gokinjo) isn't just about the physical space. It carries the weight of social interaction and community living. In Japanese culture, maintaining good relationships with your ご近所 (gokinjo) is often valued. This means being mindful of noise, participating in local events, and generally being a considerate resident.
ご近所付き合いは大切です。
Hint: Relationships with your neighbors are important.
The term often implies a certain level of familiarity or interaction, even if it's just waving hello. It's less formal than using a specific address and more personal than just saying 'the area'. When you use ご近所 (gokinjo), you're acknowledging the social fabric of the place where you live.
ご近所で美味しいパン屋さんを見つけました。
Hint: I found a delicious bakery in the neighborhood.
Understanding ご近所 (gokinjo) helps you grasp a subtle but important aspect of Japanese daily life and communication. It's not just a word; it's a concept that reflects social connections within a local area.
§ Understanding ご近所 (gokinjo)
The Japanese word ご近所 (gokinjo) is a noun that refers to your neighborhood or the people who live there. It's a useful word to know when you want to talk about your local area or the community around you. It often carries a nuance of closeness or familiarity, especially when referring to the people.
- Japanese Word
- ご近所 (gokinjo)
- Meaning
- Neighborhood; the people living in an area.
§ Using ご近所 (gokinjo) in sentences
When you use ご近所 (gokinjo) to talk about the physical neighborhood, you can often use it with particles like に (ni - in/at), で (de - in/at/by), or の (no - 's/of) to show location or possession. When referring to the people, it often acts as a collective noun, and you might use particles like と (to - with) or から (kara - from) to show interaction.
§ Referring to the neighborhood (place)
You can use ご近所 (gokinjo) to simply state where something is or where you're going.
ご近所に新しいカフェができました。
Gokinjo ni atarashii kafe ga dekimashita.
(A new cafe opened in the neighborhood.)
このご近所は静かで住みやすいです。
Kono gokinjo wa shizuka de sumiyasui desu.
(This neighborhood is quiet and easy to live in.)
§ Referring to the people (community)
When you're talking about the people in the neighborhood, ご近所 (gokinjo) acts as a collective noun. You might hear it used in phrases about interaction or reputation.
ご近所の方々と交流があります。
Gokinjo no katagata to kōryū ga arimasu.
(I have interactions with the people in the neighborhood.)
ご近所付き合いは大切です。
Gokinjo tsukiai wa taisetsu desu.
(Neighborly relations are important.)
§ Common phrases with ご近所 (gokinjo)
- ご近所さん (gokinjo-san): This adds the honorific -san to make it more polite, and often refers directly to your neighbors as individuals or a group.
ご近所さんに挨拶をしました。
Gokinjo-san ni aisatsu o shimashita.
(I greeted my neighbors.)
- ご近所迷惑 (gokinjo meiwaku): This phrase means causing trouble or nuisance to your neighbors.
深夜の騒音はご近所迷惑になります。
Shinya no sōon wa gokinjo meiwaku ni narimasu.
(Noise late at night becomes a nuisance to the neighbors.)
§ Understanding ご近所 (gokinjo) in context
You've learned that ご近所 (gokinjo) means 'neighborhood' or 'neighbors.' Now let's see how this word pops up in everyday Japanese conversations, whether you're at work, school, or just reading the news.
- DEFINITION
- ご近所 (gokinjo) refers to the local area around someone's home or workplace, and often implies the people living or working there. It carries a sense of community and local interaction.
§ ご近所 at Work
Even in a work setting, especially for businesses that interact with the local community, ご近所 is a common term. You might hear it in discussions about local outreach, customer relations, or even dealing with noise complaints from nearby residents.
私たちはご近所の方々との良好な関係を大切にしています。
- HINT
- We value good relationships with our neighbors/local community.
イベントの際には、必ずご近所にご挨拶に行きます。
- HINT
- When we have an event, we always go and greet our neighbors.
§ ご近所 at School
Schools are often deeply intertwined with their local communities. You'll hear ご近所 used in discussions about school events, local safety, or even parent-teacher associations that involve the surrounding area.
学校の運動会には、ご近所の方々も参加します。
- HINT
- Neighbors also participate in the school sports festival.
ご近所の皆様、子供たちの安全見守りにご協力ありがとうございます。
- HINT
- To all our neighbors, thank you for your cooperation in watching over the safety of the children.
§ ご近所 in the News
News reports, especially local news, frequently use ご近所 to describe community-related events, incidents, or features. This could be anything from local festivals to crime reports or stories about community heroes.
- **Local Events:** "ご近所の夏祭り、大盛況！" (The neighborhood summer festival was a great success!)
- **Community Issues:** "ご近所トラブル、どう解決する？" (How to resolve neighborhood disputes?)
- **Disaster Relief:** "災害時、ご近所同士の助け合いが重要" (In times of disaster, mutual help among neighbors is important.)
Notice how in these examples, ご近所 isn't just about the physical space, but very much about the people and the social dynamics within that space. It highlights the importance of community in Japanese culture.
§ Don't confuse it with 'town' or 'city'
Many learners, especially at the B1 level, tend to use ご近所 (gokinjo) when they really mean a broader area like 'town' (町 - machi) or 'city' (市 - shi). ご近所 specifically refers to your immediate surroundings, the houses and people very close to you. It's about your direct neighborhood, not the whole municipality.
このご近所に美味しいラーメン屋がありますか？ (Is there a good ramen shop in this immediate neighborhood?)
This is correct if you're asking about a shop within a few blocks. If you're asking about the wider city, you'd use 町 or 市.
§ Using it for non-residential areas
ご近所 is primarily used for residential areas. You wouldn't typically use it to describe a business district or an industrial zone, even if they are geographically close. While technically 'nearby,' the connotation of 'neighborhood' implies homes and local community life.
ご近所の人たちとよく交流します。 (I often interact with the people in my neighborhood.)
This is a perfect use case, as it refers to the residents.
§ Overusing honorifics when not needed
The 'ご' in ご近所 is an honorific prefix, making the word polite. While it's generally good to be polite in Japanese, sometimes learners overuse it in contexts where a simpler word might suffice, or when referring to a general 'vicinity' rather than a specific 'neighborhood' with its associated social structure. However, for 'neighborhood' in the sense of 'local community,' ご近所 is standard.
- DEFINITION
- ご近所 (gokinjo): Neighborhood; the people living in an area (polite/respectful term).
When speaking casually about just being 'nearby' without the community aspect, 近所 (kinjo) without the 'ご' is also common, though ご近所 is more common for the social sense.
駅の近所に住んでいます。 (I live near the station.)
Here, 近所 is fine. If you want to emphasize the 'neighborhood' as a community, ご近所 works too, but it's more about the social aspect than just geographic proximity.
§ Not understanding the cultural implications
In Japan, ご近所付き合い (gokinjo tsukiai - neighborly relations) is a significant aspect of daily life. When you use ご近所, it often carries this cultural weight. It implies a degree of interaction, mutual support, and adherence to local customs. Not understanding this can lead to awkward phrasing. For example, simply saying 'I like my ご近所' might sound a bit odd if you don't engage with them, as it implies a relationship.
- Acknowledge gifts from neighbors: お歳暮 (oseibo - year-end gifts) and お中元 (ochuugen - mid-year gifts) are common among ご近所.
- Participate in local events: Many neighborhoods have festivals or cleanup days.
- Be mindful of noise: Especially in dense residential areas.
ご近所付き合いが苦手です。 (I'm not good at neighborly relations.)
This phrase highlights the social aspect. Understanding these nuances will help you use ご近所 more naturally and appropriately.
§ What is ご近所 (Gokinjo)?
- DEFINITION
- Neighborhood; the people living in an area.
ご近所 (gokinjo) refers to the area immediately surrounding your home, as well as the people who live in that area. It's more than just a geographical location; it often implies a social connection with the people you live near.
ご近所の人が親切でした。
- HINT
- The people in my neighborhood were kind.
§ Similar words and when to use ご近所
You might encounter a few words in Japanese that seem similar to ご近所 (gokinjo). Let's break them down so you know when to use which one.
- 近所 (kinjo): This is the more casual and direct version of ご近所. It refers strictly to the immediate neighborhood, the physical area. While it *can* imply the people, it doesn't carry the same nuance of social connection as ご近所. ご近所 adds a polite prefix (ご), making it sound more respectful and often used when talking about the people in your neighborhood or expressing a more generalized sense of community.
私の近所に新しいカフェができました。
- HINT
- A new cafe opened in my neighborhood.
- 地域 (chiiki): This is a broader term meaning 'region' or 'area.' It can refer to a larger geographical area like a district, city, or even a country. It doesn't typically carry the personal, immediate neighborhood feeling of ご近所.
この地域は自然が豊かです。
- HINT
- This region is rich in nature.
- 町内 (chōnai) / 町内会 (chōnaikai): 町内 refers to a specific block or section within a town. 町内会 is a neighborhood association, a formal organization for residents within a specific町内. While these are related to your immediate living area, they are more specific and often imply an organized community structure. ご近所 is a broader, less formal term.
町内会のイベントに参加しました。
- HINT
- I participated in the neighborhood association's event.
§ When to use ご近所
Use ご近所 when you want to convey a sense of 'my neighbors' or the social aspect of your immediate area. It's polite and implies a connection to the people around you. You'll often hear it in phrases like:
- ご近所付き合い (gokinjo tsukiai): Neighborly relations/friendship. This highlights the social interaction aspect.
- ご近所迷惑 (gokinjo meiwaku): Causing trouble for your neighbors. This shows the consideration for those living nearby.
- ご近所さん (gokinjo-san): A polite way to refer to your neighbors.
新しいご近所さんにご挨拶に行きました。
- HINT
- I went to greet my new neighbors.
In summary, while there are other words related to 'neighborhood,' ご近所 is your go-to when you're focusing on the people and the social dynamics of your immediate living environment in a polite and respectful way. Keep practicing and you'll get the hang of these nuances!
How Formal Is It?
"近隣住民の方々と良好な関係を築いています。(Kinrin jūmin no katagata to ryōkō na kankei o kizuite imasu.) - I am building good relationships with the people in my neighborhood."
"ご近所の方に会いました。(Gokinjo no kata ni aimashita.) - I met someone from the neighborhood."
"近所のスーパーに行く。(Kinjo no sūpā ni iku.) - I'm going to the neighborhood supermarket."
"おうちのまわりにお友達がいるよ。(Ouchi no mawari ni otomodachi ga iru yo.) - There are friends around our house (in the neighborhood)."
"地元で遊ぶのが好き。(Jimoto de asobu no ga suki.) - I like hanging out in my hometown/local area."
Fun Fact
The 'go' prefix adds a sense of respect or politeness, making the term more formal and slightly deferential.
Pronunciation Guide
- Mispronouncing the 'go' as in 'go' rather than a softer 'g' sound.
- Not emphasizing the second syllable 'kin'.
Grammar to Know
Adding さん (san) after ご近所 (gokinjo) refers to a neighbor as a person. This is a polite way to address or refer to someone who lives nearby.
ご近所さん (gokinjo-san) が引っ越しました。 (My neighbor moved.)
ご近所 (gokinjo) can be used with の (no) to describe something related to the neighborhood.
ご近所のスーパーは便利です。 (The neighborhood supermarket is convenient.)
When talking about an event or activity happening in the neighborhood, you can use で (de) after ご近所 (gokinjo).
ご近所でお祭りがありました。 (There was a festival in the neighborhood.)
To express movement to or from the neighborhood, you can use に (ni) or から (kara) respectively.
ご近所に新しいカフェができました。 (A new cafe opened in the neighborhood.) ご近所から友達が来ました。 (A friend came from the neighborhood.)
ご近所 (gokinjo) can be used as the subject of a sentence, often with は (wa) to indicate the topic.
ご近所は静かです。 (The neighborhood is quiet.)
Examples by Level
ご近所さんが親切です。
My neighbors are kind.
さん (san) is a common honorific used with people's names or roles.
ご近所に新しいお店ができました。
A new shop opened in the neighborhood.
に (ni) indicates location.
ご近所で犬を散歩させます。
I walk my dog in the neighborhood.
で (de) indicates the place where an action occurs.
ご近所の方と話しました。
I talked with someone from the neighborhood.
方 (kata) is a polite way to say 'person'.
ご近所は静かです。
The neighborhood is quiet.
は (wa) is a topic particle.
ご近所の公園で遊びます。
I play in the neighborhood park.
の (no) is a possessive particle, connecting 'neighborhood' to 'park'.
ご近所には猫がたくさんいます。
There are many cats in the neighborhood.
います (imasu) means 'there are' for living things.
ご近所にご挨拶に行きました。
I went to greet my neighbors.
にご挨拶に行きました (ni go-aisatsu ni ikimashita) means 'went to give greetings'.
ご近所の皆さんと一緒に公園の掃除をしました。
I cleaned the park with everyone from the neighborhood.
ご近所に新しいカフェがオープンしました。
A new cafe opened in the neighborhood.
ご近所付き合いは大切だと思います。
I think neighborly relations are important.
ご近所の方に道を教えてもらいました。
I was shown the way by someone from the neighborhood.
週末にご近所のお祭りに参加します。
I will participate in the neighborhood festival on the weekend.
ご近所には美味しいパン屋さんがあります。
There is a delicious bakery in the neighborhood.
ご近所の子供たちが公園で遊んでいます。
The neighborhood children are playing in the park.
ご近所の人たちとよく挨拶をします。
I often greet people in the neighborhood.
ご近所の皆さんと一緒に公園の掃除をしました。
I cleaned the park with everyone from the neighborhood.
「ご近所の皆さん」 (go-kinjo no minasan) means 'everyone in the neighborhood' or 'the neighbors'.
新しいご近所さんに挨拶に行きました。
I went to greet my new neighbors.
「新しいご近所さん」 (atarashii go-kinjo-san) means 'new neighbors'. Adding '-san' makes it polite.
この辺りのご近所は、みんな親切です。
The neighbors around here are all kind.
「この辺りのご近所」 (kono atari no go-kinjo) means 'the neighborhood around here'.
ご近所付き合いは大切だと思います。
I think neighborly relations are important.
「ご近所付き合い」 (go-kinjo tsukiai) refers to 'neighborly relations' or 'social interaction with neighbors'.
週末にご近所のお祭りがあります。
There's a neighborhood festival this weekend.
「ご近所のお祭り」 (go-kinjo no omatsuri) means 'neighborhood festival'.
最近、ご近所に新しいお店がオープンしました。
Recently, a new shop opened in the neighborhood.
「ご近所に新しいお店」 (go-kinjo ni atarashii omise) means 'a new shop in the neighborhood'.
ご近所の方に道を聞かれました。
Someone from the neighborhood asked me for directions.
「ご近所の方」 (go-kinjo no kata) is a polite way to say 'someone from the neighborhood' or 'a neighbor'.
ご近所の子供たちが公園で遊んでいます。
The neighborhood children are playing in the park.
「ご近所の子供たち」 (go-kinjo no kodomo-tachi) means 'the neighborhood children'.
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
ご近所に挨拶する。
Greet your neighbors.
ご近所づきあいは大切です。
Neighborly relations are important.
ご近所の人が親切です。
The people in my neighborhood are kind.
ご近所の騒音に悩んでいます。
I'm troubled by noise from my neighbors.
この辺りのご近所はどんな感じですか？
What's the neighborhood like around here?
ご近所の方に助けてもらいました。
My neighbors helped me.
ご近所の皆さんと仲良くしています。
I get along well with everyone in the neighborhood.
ご近所の人と協力して掃除しました。
I cleaned with the cooperation of my neighbors.
ご近所のイベントに参加しました。
I participated in a neighborhood event.
ご近所への配慮が必要です。
Consideration for your neighbors is necessary.
Often Confused With
ご近所 (ごきんじょ) specifically includes the people living in the area, often with a nuance of community and social interaction. 近所 (きんじょ) is the general geographical area, without the social aspect.
ご近所 (ごきんじょ) refers to the entire neighborhood and its inhabitants as a collective. 隣人 (りんじん) specifically means 'neighbor' – an individual or family living next door or very close by.
ご近所 (ごきんじょ) implies a close-knit, familiar neighborhood. 地域住民 (ちいきじゅうみん) is a more formal term for 'local residents' or 'community members' of a broader area, often used in official contexts.
Grammar Patterns
Easily Confused
Often confused with ご近所 (ごきんじょ) because they share similar kanji and meaning, but 近所 is the more neutral and common term for 'neighborhood' without the honorific prefix.
近所 is the general term for 'neighborhood' or 'vicinity.' It doesn't carry the same nuance of including the people as ご近所 does. Think of it as just the geographical area.
私はこの近所に住んでいます。(I live in this neighborhood.)
Similar to 近所 and ご近所, but often refers to a broader 'vicinity' or 'area around something' rather than a residential neighborhood.
付近 is used to describe the area around a specific point or landmark. It's less about the residential aspect and more about proximity to something.
駅の付近にカフェがあります。(There is a cafe near the station.)
Can be confused due to its general meaning of 'area' or 'region,' which might overlap with 'neighborhood' in some contexts.
地域 is a broader term for 'region,' 'area,' or 'district.' It's a more administrative or geographical division than a residential neighborhood.
この地域は農業が盛んです。(Agriculture is thriving in this region.)
Means 'town' or 'street,' which can sometimes be mistaken for 'neighborhood' in casual conversation.
町 refers to a 'town' or a specific 'street' within a larger area. While a neighborhood might be part of a 町, 町 itself is a different concept.
この町は静かです。(This town is quiet.)
Means 'village,' which is a type of small community, similar to how a neighborhood is a community.
村 specifically means 'village,' which is typically a smaller, more rural settlement compared to a city neighborhood. It implies a distinct, often isolated community.
彼は小さな村で育った。(He grew up in a small village.)
Sentence Patterns
ご近所 + に + 住んでいます
私の祖母はご近所に住んでいます。
ご近所 + の + 人
ご近所の人たちはとても親切です。
ご近所付き合い + をする
新しいアパートに引っ越したので、ご近所付き合いを始めました。
ご近所 + の + イベント
週末にご近所のイベントがあります。
ご近所 + に + 迷惑をかける
夜遅くまで騒いでご近所に迷惑をかけないでください。
ご近所 + を + 散歩する
天気がいい日はご近所を散歩するのが好きです。
ご近所 + で + 有名な
このパン屋はご近所で有名です。
ご近所 + に + 配慮する
集合住宅に住むときは、ご近所に配慮することが大切です。
How to Use It
When to use it
「ご近所」is a polite and slightly more formal way to say "neighborhood" or "neighbors." It implies a sense of community and can be used when talking about the people who live nearby or the general area itself.
Nuances
- Politeness: The prefix 「ご」 makes it polite. You'd use this when speaking to someone you don't know well, or in more formal settings.
- Community Focus: It often refers to the people in the neighborhood as much as the physical area. For example, 「ご近所付き合い」 (go-kinjo-tsukiai) means "neighborly relations" or "community ties."
Examples
Example 1: Talking about the neighborhood itself
「この辺りはご近所さんがみんな親切です。」
Hint: "Everyone in this neighborhood is kind."
Example 2: Talking about neighbors
「ご近所にご迷惑をおかけしてすみません。」
Hint: "I apologize for bothering the neighbors."
Example 3: Asking about neighborhood amenities
「このご近所にいいカフェはありますか？」
Hint: "Are there any good cafes in this neighborhood?"
Mistake 1: Using it when a simpler term is better
While 「ご近所」is polite, sometimes a more direct term like 「近所」 (kinjo - neighborhood) or 「隣人」 (rinjin - neighbor) is more appropriate, especially in casual conversation or when the focus is purely on the physical location.
Incorrect: 「私のご近所はコンビニがあります。」
Hint: (My neighborhood has a convenience store.) - While not strictly wrong, 「私の近所はコンビニがあります。」 is more natural here as the focus is on the location.
Mistake 2: Overusing the politeness
Remember that 「ご近所」carries a polite nuance. In very casual settings with close friends, it might sound a little too stiff. In such cases, 「近所」is usually sufficient.
Incorrect: (To a close friend) 「ねえ、ご近所に新しいラーメン屋さんできたよ。」
Hint: (Hey, a new ramen shop opened in the neighborhood.) - 「ねえ、近所に新しいラーメン屋さんできたよ。」 would be more natural and less formal between close friends.
Mistake 3: Confusing it with purely physical location
While 「ご近所」can refer to the physical area, it often has the connotation of the people living there. If you purely want to refer to a nearby physical area without the community aspect, 「近所」or 「周り」 (mawari - surroundings) might be more precise.
Incorrect: 「このご近所の地図を見せてください。」
Hint: (Please show me a map of this neighborhood.) - While understandable, 「この近所の地図を見せてください。」 or 「この辺りの地図を見せてください。」 (kono atari no chizu o misete kudasai - Please show me a map of this area) might be slightly more precise if you're only asking about the geographical layout and not the residents.
Tips
Basic Meaning of ご近所
ご近所 (ごきんじょ) refers to your immediate neighborhood, but it also carries the nuance of the people living there. Think of it as 'the neighbors' or 'the neighborhood community'.
Using ご近所 in Sentences
You can use ご近所 when talking about the area itself or the people. For example, 「ご近所は静かです」 (The neighborhood is quiet) or 「ご近所の方に会いました」 (I met someone from the neighborhood).
Importance of ご近所付き合い
The concept of ご近所付き合い (ごきんじょづきあい) or neighborly relations is very important in Japan. It emphasizes maintaining good relationships with your neighbors through greetings, small talk, and mutual help.
Politeness with ご
The ご in ご近所 is an honorific prefix, making the word more polite. It shows respect for the neighborhood and its residents. You wouldn't typically drop the ご when using this word.
Common Phrases with ご近所
Learn phrases like 「ご近所迷惑」 (ごきんじょめいわく - trouble for neighbors) or 「ご近所付き合い」 (ごきんじょづきあい - neighborly relations). These are often used.
Not Just Physical Space
Remember that ご近所 often implies a social connection, not just a geographical one. It's about the community as much as the physical area around your home.
Distinguishing from 近く or 周り
While 近く (ちかく - nearby) and 周り (まわり - surroundings) refer to proximity, ご近所 specifically implies a residential area and its inhabitants, with a sense of community.
Examples of Use
「ご近所にご挨拶に行きました。」 (I went to greet my neighbors.)
「このご近所は安全です。」 (This neighborhood is safe.)
Formal vs. Informal Contexts
ご近所 is appropriate in both formal and informal contexts when referring to your neighborhood or neighbors, thanks to the honorific ご. It's a versatile term.
Listen for Context Clues
When you hear ご近所, pay attention to the surrounding verbs and particles to determine if the speaker is talking about the physical place or the people. The meaning is usually clear from context.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Imagine a friendly bear, a GORILLA (ご), living in your KINJO (近所) or neighborhood. He's always out and about, saying hello to everyone.
Visual Association
Picture a bustling street scene. Houses are close together, people are walking their dogs, kids are playing in a park nearby. Focus on the feeling of community and proximity. This is your 'gokinjo'.
Word Web
Challenge
Try to describe your own neighborhood using 'ご近所' at least three times in different sentences. For example, '私のご近所は静かです。' (My neighborhood is quiet.) or 'ご近所には良いレストランがたくさんあります。' (There are many good restaurants in the neighborhood.)
Word Origin
Japanese
Original meaning: ご (go) is an honorific prefix, 近所 (kinjo) means 'neighborhood' or 'vicinity'.
JaponicCultural Context
ご近所 (gokinjo) refers to the immediate neighborhood and the people who live there. In Japan, there's a strong emphasis on community and maintaining good relationships with your neighbors. This can involve things like participating in local events, helping each other out, and being mindful of noise and other disturbances. It's common to give small gifts when you move into a new ご近所 as a greeting.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
Talking about where you live or your surroundings.
- 私の家のご近所は静かです。
- My neighborhood is quiet.
- ご近所さんに会いました。
- I met a neighbor.
Describing the people in your area.
- ご近所の方々はとても親切です。
- The people in my neighborhood are very kind.
- ご近所の子供たちと遊びます。
- I play with the neighborhood children.
Discussing local community events or activities.
- ご近所の祭りに行きます。
- I'm going to the neighborhood festival.
- ご近所の清掃活動に参加しました。
- I participated in the neighborhood clean-up.
Asking about someone else's living situation.
- ご近所はどうですか？
- How is your neighborhood?
- ご近所には何がありますか？
- What's in your neighborhood?
Complaining or praising aspects of your area.
- ご近所がうるさいです。
- My neighborhood is noisy.
- ご近所の環境が良いです。
- The neighborhood environment is good.
Conversation Starters
"ご近所にはどんなお店がありますか？"
"ご近所の方々とよく話しますか？"
"ご近所の良いところは何ですか？"
"新しいご近所はどうですか？"
"ご近所で困ったことはありますか？"
Journal Prompts
あなたの住むご近所について、良いところと改善してほしいところを書いてみましょう。
もし新しいご近所に引っ越すとしたら、どんなご近所がいいですか？
ご近所の人々とどんな交流がありますか？具体的なエピソードを書いてみましょう。
ご近所にはどんなお店や施設があると便利だと思いますか？
ご近所をもっと良くするために、あなたにできることは何だと思いますか？
Test Yourself 126 questions
Choose the correct hiragana for ご近所:
The kanji 近 (kin) is read きん and 所 (sho) is read じょ in this compound word.
Which of these means 'neighborhood'?
ご近所 (gokinjo) directly translates to neighborhood. 学校 (gakkō) is school, 会社 (kaisha) is company, and 病院 (byōin) is hospital.
You want to say 'My neighborhood is quiet.' Which word would you use for 'neighborhood'?
ご近所 refers to the neighborhood. The other options refer to school, company, and hospital respectively.
ご近所 refers only to the buildings in an area, not the people.
ご近所 can refer to both the physical neighborhood and the people living in it.
The kanji for 'close' (近) is part of ご近所.
The kanji 近 (kin) means close or near, which makes sense for 'neighborhood'.
You can use ご近所 to talk about your family members.
ご近所 refers to the neighborhood or the people living nearby, not your family members.
The neighbors are kind.
A new shop opened in the neighborhood.
Neighborhood relationships are important.
Read this aloud:
ご近所の方と挨拶しましょう。
Focus: ご近所 (go-kin-jo)
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Read this aloud:
ご近所に公園があります。
Focus: ご近所 (go-kin-jo)
You said:
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Read this aloud:
ご近所のお祭りに行きました。
Focus: ご近所 (go-kin-jo)
You said:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Write a short sentence introducing your neighborhood. (e.g., 'My neighborhood is quiet.')
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
私の ご近所は 静かです。
Write a simple sentence about who lives in your neighborhood. (e.g., 'My friends live in my neighborhood.')
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
私の ご近所に 友達が います。
Write a sentence asking if someone's neighborhood is lively. (e.g., 'Is your neighborhood lively?')
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
あなたの ご近所は 賑やかですか。
この ご近所には 何が ありますか？ (What is in this neighborhood?)
Read this passage:
これは 私の ご近所です。公園が あります。スーパーも あります。とても 便利です。
この ご近所には 何が ありますか？ (What is in this neighborhood?)
The passage states '公園が あります。スーパーも あります。' (There is a park. There is also a supermarket.)
The passage states '公園が あります。スーパーも あります。' (There is a park. There is also a supermarket.)
この ご近所は どうですか？ (How is this neighborhood?)
Read this passage:
私の ご近所は 静かです。でも、人が たくさん います。
この ご近所は どうですか？ (How is this neighborhood?)
The passage says '私の ご近所は 静かです。でも、人が たくさん います。' (My neighborhood is quiet. But there are many people.)
The passage says '私の ご近所は 静かです。でも、人が たくさん います。' (My neighborhood is quiet. But there are many people.)
山田さんの ご近所は どこに ありますか？ (Where is Yamada-san's neighborhood?)
Read this passage:
山田さんの ご近所は どこですか。駅の 近くです。
山田さんの ご近所は どこに ありますか？ (Where is Yamada-san's neighborhood?)
The passage states '駅の 近くです。' (It is near the station.)
The passage states '駅の 近くです。' (It is near the station.)
This sentence means 'There is a cat in my neighborhood.' The particles connect the words.
This sentence means 'There is a small park in the neighborhood.' 'に' indicates location.
This sentence means 'I met a friend in the neighborhood.' 'で' indicates the place of action.
私の___には、たくさんの犬がいます。
The sentence talks about 'many dogs are in my ___'. 'ご近所 (gokinjo)' meaning 'neighborhood' fits best in this context.
___の人たちはいつも親切です。
The sentence says 'The people of ___ are always kind.' 'ご近所 (gokinjo)' (neighborhood) makes sense here, referring to the people in the area.
新しい___に引っ越しました。
The sentence means 'I moved to a new ___.' 'ご近所 (gokinjo)' (neighborhood) is the appropriate word for a place you move to.
私の___に美味しいレストランがあります。
The sentence means 'There is a delicious restaurant in my ___.' 'ご近所 (gokinjo)' (neighborhood) fits naturally here.
___で、子供たちが遊んでいます。
The sentence says 'Children are playing in the ___.' 'ご近所 (gokinjo)' (neighborhood) is where children would typically play.
___の公園で散歩するのが好きです。
The sentence means 'I like walking in the park of my ___.' 'ご近所 (gokinjo)' (neighborhood) is the suitable word.
Choose the best English translation for ご近所 (gokinjo):
ご近所 (gokinjo) refers to the neighborhood or the people living in an area.
Which of these is a common phrase using ご近所 (gokinjo)?
ご近所さん (gokinjo-san) is a common way to refer to neighbors.
Which sentence correctly uses ご近所 (gokinjo)?
ご近所 (gokinjo) refers to the physical neighborhood or the community, so 'my neighborhood is quiet' is a correct usage.
ご近所 (gokinjo) can refer to both the physical area and the people living there.
Yes, ご近所 (gokinjo) can mean both 'neighborhood' and 'neighbors' or 'the people in the neighborhood'.
ご近所 (gokinjo) is a formal word used only in business settings.
No, ご近所 (gokinjo) is a general term and can be used in everyday conversation.
You can use ご近所 (gokinjo) to talk about a building where you live.
ご近所 (gokinjo) refers to the broader area around your home, not just a single building.
Listen for 'neighborhood' and 'greeting'.
Listen for 'neighborhood' and 'supermarket'.
Listen for 'new', 'neighborhood', and 'relationship'.
Read this aloud:
ご近所の方と仲良くしていますか？
Focus: ご近所 (go-kin-jo)
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Read this aloud:
ご近所の人たちはとても親切です。
Focus: 親切 (shin-setsu)
You said:
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Read this aloud:
ご近所のイベントに参加しました。
Focus: イベント (i-ben-to)
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This sentence means 'My neighborhood is quiet.' The possessive particle 'の' connects '私' (I/my) to 'ご近所' (neighborhood). 'は' is the topic marker, and '静かです' means 'is quiet.'
This sentence means 'A new shop opened in the neighborhood.' 'ご近所' (neighborhood) is followed by 'に' (in/at). '新しい' (new) modifies 'お店' (shop), and 'ができました' means 'opened/was made.'
This sentence means 'I often talk with people in my neighborhood.' '私' (I) is the topic. 'ご近所の人' means 'people in the neighborhood.' 'と' means 'with,' and 'よく話します' means 'often talk.'
私の___には、親切な人が多いです。
The sentence talks about kind people in the area where one lives, so 'ご近所' (neighborhood) is the most suitable word.
新しい___に引っ越したので、挨拶に行きました。
When you move to a new place, you greet your new neighbors. 'ご近所' refers to the neighborhood and its residents.
この___には、おいしいパン屋さんがたくさんあります。
The sentence describes the presence of many good bakeries in the immediate area. 'ご近所' fits this context.
___の子供たちと公園で遊びました。
Playing with children from the 'neighborhood' makes the most sense in this context.
困ったときは、___が助けてくれることがあります。
When in trouble, neighbors often offer help. 'ご近所' implies the people living nearby.
___のイベントに参加して、新しい友達を作りました。
Participating in 'neighborhood' events is a common way to make new friends in the area.
You just moved to a new place. Write a short message to your new neighbors introducing yourself and expressing your hope to get along well. Use ご近所.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
ご近所の皆様、初めまして。先週こちらに引っ越してきました〇〇です。これからどうぞよろしくお願いいたします。
Describe a common activity or event that happens in your neighborhood. Use ご近所.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
私の住むご近所では、毎年夏にお祭りがあります。子供から大人までみんな楽しみにしています。
You are inviting a friend over. Explain that your neighbors are very friendly and will likely greet them. Use ご近所.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
うちのご近所さんはみんなとても優しいから、道で会ったらきっと挨拶してくれるよ。
Bさんは、ご近所の人々についてどう思っていますか？
Read this passage:
A: この辺りは静かで住みやすいですね。 B: ええ、私もそう思います。ご近所の方々も親切で、いつも助けてもらっています。 A: 素晴らしいですね。私も早くこのご近所に慣れたいです。
Bさんは、ご近所の人々についてどう思っていますか？
Bさんの発言「ご近所の方々も親切で、いつも助けてもらっています」から、親切だと思っていることがわかります。
Bさんの発言「ご近所の方々も親切で、いつも助けてもらっています」から、親切だと思っていることがわかります。
このお祭りは、ご近所にとってどのような意味がありますか？
Read this passage:
週末、公園でご近所のお祭りがありました。子供たちはゲームを楽しんだり、美味しい屋台の食べ物を食べたりしていました。大人たちはビールを飲みながら、おしゃべりをしていました。このようなイベントは、ご近所のコミュニティを強くします。
このお祭りは、ご近所にとってどのような意味がありますか？
「ご近所のコミュニティを強くします」という記述から、住民が交流し、関係を深める機会であることが読み取れます。
「ご近所のコミュニティを強くします」という記述から、住民が交流し、関係を深める機会であることが読み取れます。
この人は何に悩んでいますか？
Read this passage:
新しいアパートに引っ越してきましたが、まだご近所の皆さんとあまり話していません。どうすれば、もっと仲良くなれるでしょうか？例えば、引っ越し蕎麦を持って挨拶に行くのがいいでしょうか。
この人は何に悩んでいますか？
「まだご近所の皆さんとあまり話していません。どうすれば、もっと仲良くなれるでしょうか？」という部分から、ご近所との関係構築に悩んでいることがわかります。
「まだご近所の皆さんとあまり話していません。どうすれば、もっと仲良くなれるでしょうか？」という部分から、ご近所との関係構築に悩んでいることがわかります。
This sentence means 'My neighbors are very kind.' The particles 'の' and 'は' indicate possession and the topic of the sentence, respectively.
This sentence means 'I greeted my new neighbors.' '新しい' means new, 'ご近所' means neighbors, and '挨拶しました' means greeted.
This sentence means 'I went to the festival with my neighbors.' 'ご近所の人たち' refers to 'the people in the neighborhood' or 'neighbors'.
この地域では、___の皆さんがとても親切です。
The sentence talks about people in the area being kind, and 'ご近所' refers to neighbors or people in the neighborhood. '他人' means strangers, '家族' means family, and '友達' means friends, none of which fit the context as well.
___付き合いは、日本の文化ではとても大切です。
'ご近所付き合い' is a common phrase meaning neighborly relations. The other options don't form a natural compound with '付き合い' in this context.
引っ越したら、まず___に挨拶に行きましょう。
When you move, it's customary to greet your neighbors ('ご近所'). The other options are not relevant for initial greetings after moving.
___の人たちと一緒に地域のお祭りを準備しました。
Community festivals are typically prepared by people living in the area, hence 'ご近所' (neighbors/people in the neighborhood) is the most appropriate choice.
彼はいつも___の困っている人を助けています。
The sentence implies helping people in one's immediate surroundings, making 'ご近所' (neighbors) the most logical fit. The other options are clearly out of context.
新しい___のカフェはとても人気があります。
A new cafe would typically be popular among people in the local area, thus 'ご近所' (neighborhood) fits best. The other words are abstract concepts and do not refer to a physical location.
Choose the most appropriate word to complete the sentence: 彼は新しい___とすぐに友達になりました。
The sentence implies making friends with people in a new area. 「ご近所さん」 (neighbors) fits this context best. 「職場」 means workplace, 「学校」 means school, and 「家族」 means family.
Which of the following phrases is most suitable when talking about a local community event?
「ご近所の祭り」 directly translates to 'neighborhood festival', which is a local community event. The other options refer to a company festival, a world festival, or a past festival, which are not specifically local community events.
If you want to ask someone about the general atmosphere or reputation of a residential area, which question uses 'ご近所' appropriately?
「雰囲気」 means atmosphere or vibe, so asking 「このご近所の雰囲気はどうですか？」 (How is the atmosphere of this neighborhood?) is the most natural way to inquire about its general feel or reputation. The other options are grammatically correct but do not directly address the 'atmosphere' or 'reputation' of the neighborhood.
「ご近所付き合い」 often refers to social interactions and relationships with people living in your neighborhood.
「ご近所付き合い」 (gokinjo-tsukiai) specifically means neighborly relations or associating with one's neighbors, which involves social interactions and relationships.
You can use 「ご近所」 to refer to a very distant town that is not geographically close to you.
「ご近所」 specifically refers to a nearby area or the people living in a close vicinity. It is not used for distant towns.
When someone says 「ご近所迷惑にならないように」, they are typically advising you not to disturb or bother your neighbors.
「ご近所迷惑」 (gokinjo-meiwaku) means 'trouble for neighbors' or 'being a nuisance to neighbors'. So, 「ご近所迷惑にならないように」 means 'so as not to bother your neighbors'.
What did you ask your neighbor about?
What kind of shops are there in the neighborhood?
What is important to avoid neighborhood troubles?
Read this aloud:
ご近所付き合いは大切だと思いますか？
Focus: ご近所付き合い
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Read this aloud:
あなたの近所にはどんなお店がありますか？
Focus: どんなお店
You said:
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Read this aloud:
新しいご近所さんに挨拶に行きましょう。
Focus: 新しいご近所さん
You said:
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You just moved to a new neighborhood. Write a short message to your new neighbors introducing yourself and expressing your hope to get to know them. Use ご近所 (gokinjo).
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
この度、ご近所に引っ越して参りました。これからどうぞよろしくお願いします。
Describe a common problem that arises in neighborhoods, such as noise or trash. How might you approach resolving it politely with your neighbors? Use ご近所 (gokinjo).
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
ご近所との間で騒音の問題が起きた場合、直接苦情を言うのではなく、まず管理組合に相談するか、匿名で手紙を書くのが良いでしょう。
Imagine you are organizing a community event for your neighborhood. Write a short announcement inviting your neighbors. Mention what kind of event it is and why it's a good chance to connect. Use ご近所 (gokinjo).
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
ご近所の皆様、来週末に公園でバーベキューを行います。ぜひご参加いただき、一緒に楽しい時間を過ごしましょう！
田中さんはご近所の人たちにどのように迎えられましたか？
Read this passage:
引っ越してきたばかりの田中さんは、ご近所の皆さんに挨拶回りをしました。温かく迎えられ、すぐにこの地域に馴染むことができました。特に、隣のおばあさんには美味しい手料理をたくさんご馳走になり、感謝しています。
田中さんはご近所の人たちにどのように迎えられましたか？
パッセージに「温かく迎えられ」とあります。
パッセージに「温かく迎えられ」とあります。
ご近所ではどのような問題が起こっていますか？
Read this passage:
最近、ご近所で空き巣被害が多発しています。そのため、防犯カメラの設置や夜間の巡回など、ご近所全体で防犯対策を強化しています。みんなで協力して、安全な街づくりを目指しています。
ご近所ではどのような問題が起こっていますか？
パッセージに「空き巣被害が多発しています」とあります。
パッセージに「空き巣被害が多発しています」とあります。
「子供たちの笑顔は、ご近所を明るくしてくれます」とありますが、これは何を意味しますか？
Read this passage:
週末には、ご近所の子供たちが公園で元気に遊んでいます。私も時々、彼らと一緒にサッカーをしたり、おしゃべりしたりして、楽しい時間を過ごしています。子供たちの笑顔は、ご近所を明るくしてくれます。
「子供たちの笑顔は、ご近所を明るくしてくれます」とありますが、これは何を意味しますか？
「明るくする」は、物理的な光だけでなく、活気や喜びをもたらすという意味でも使われます。
「明るくする」は、物理的な光だけでなく、活気や喜びをもたらすという意味でも使われます。
This sentence means 'We should help each other with our neighbors.' The particle 'と' (to) connects 'ご近所さん' (neighbors) with 'お互いに' (each other), and '助け合う' (to help each other) is the verb, followed by 'べきです' (should).
This sentence translates to 'Last weekend, there was a lively festival in my neighborhood.' '先週末' (last weekend) is the time, '私のご近所で' (in my neighborhood) indicates the location, and '賑やかな祭りがありました' (there was a lively festival) describes the event.
This sentence means 'When I'm in trouble, I have reliable neighbors.' '困った時は' (when I'm in trouble) sets the condition, and 'ご近所さんが頼りになるいます' (I have reliable neighbors) describes the situation.
___ の協力なしには、このプロジェクトは成功しなかったでしょう。
文脈から、地域住民の協力がプロジェクト成功に不可欠であったことが示唆されています。
新しいアパートに引っ越して、まだ___ に挨拶していません。
引っ越した際に挨拶するのは、近隣住民であることが一般的です。
夜遅くまで騒ぐと___ に迷惑がかかります。
騒音問題は近隣住民に影響を与えるため、「ご近所」が適切です。
困ったときはいつでも___ が助けてくれるので安心です。
困った時に助け合うのは、身近な地域住民の関係性によく見られます。
___ との交流を通じて、地域の情報がたくさん得られます。
地域情報は、近隣住民との交流から得られることが多いです。
彼は___ の評判をとても大切にしています。
地域社会における評判を大切にするという文脈に合致します。
Imagine you've just moved to a new neighborhood in Japan. Write a short paragraph introducing yourself to your new neighbors, mentioning how you plan to be a good neighbor. Use 'ご近所' at least once.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
この度、こちらの新しいご近所に引っ越してまいりました。どうぞよろしくお願いいたします。皆様にご迷惑をおかけしないよう、常に配慮し、地域の一員として積極的に貢献していきたいと思っております。何かお手伝いできることがあれば、いつでもお声がけください。
Describe a common issue that can arise between neighbors (e.g., noise, garbage) and how one might politely address it in Japanese. Use 'ご近所' at least once.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
ご近所との間でよく起こる問題の一つに騒音があります。例えば、夜遅くの話し声や足音が響くことがあります。このような場合、直接苦情を言うのではなく、「いつもお世話になっております。一つお願いがあるのですが、夜間の足音が少し響くことがありまして、もしよろしければ少しご配慮いただけると幸いです」のように、丁寧に伝えることが大切です。
You are organizing a small community event in your neighborhood. Write a short announcement (3-4 sentences) inviting your neighbors. Include the word 'ご近所'.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
いつもお世話になっております。この度、ご近所の皆様との交流を深めるため、ささやかな地域イベントを企画いたしました。ぜひお気軽にご参加いただき、楽しいひとときを過ごしていただければ幸いです。皆様のお越しを心よりお待ちしております。
この文章が最も伝えたいことは何ですか？
Read this passage:
最近、ご近所付き合いが希薄になっているとよく聞きます。しかし、災害時などいざという時には、日頃からのご近所との連携が非常に重要になります。お互いに助け合える関係を築いておくことは、安全な地域生活を送る上で不可欠です。
この文章が最も伝えたいことは何ですか？
文章全体を通して、希薄になっているとされるご近所付き合いが、災害時などの「いざという時」だけでなく、普段からの「安全な地域生活」においても重要であると述べています。
文章全体を通して、希薄になっているとされるご近所付き合いが、災害時などの「いざという時」だけでなく、普段からの「安全な地域生活」においても重要であると述べています。
筆者が「最初の挨拶は大切だ」と感じているのはなぜですか？
Read this passage:
新しいマンションに引っ越してきましたが、まだご近所の皆様にご挨拶に行けていません。週末にでも菓子折りを持って伺おうと考えています。地域に早く馴染むためにも、最初の挨拶は大切だと感じています。
筆者が「最初の挨拶は大切だ」と感じているのはなぜですか？
文章の最後の部分に「地域に早く馴染むためにも、最初の挨拶は大切だと感じています」と明記されています。
文章の最後の部分に「地域に早く馴染むためにも、最初の挨拶は大切だと感じています」と明記されています。
この清掃活動の目的として、本文で述べられていることは何ですか？
Read this passage:
私の住む地域では、年に一度、ご近所の皆さんが集まって清掃活動を行います。この活動を通じて、地域がきれいになるだけでなく、普段あまり話す機会のない人とも交流でき、とても良い機会になっています。このような活動は、地域コミュニティを活性化させる上で非常に有効だと思います。
この清掃活動の目的として、本文で述べられていることは何ですか？
「地域がきれいになるだけでなく、普段あまり話す機会のない人とも交流でき、とても良い機会になっています」という記述から、両方の目的があることがわかります。
「地域がきれいになるだけでなく、普段あまり話す機会のない人とも交流でき、とても良い機会になっています」という記述から、両方の目的があることがわかります。
This sentence means 'You should help your neighbors.' 'ご近所' (neighbors) is followed by 'と' (with), then '助け合う' (to help each other), and finally 'べきです' (should).
This sentence means 'Cherish relationships with neighbors.' 'ご近所' (neighbors) is followed by 'との関係' (relationships with), then 'は' (topic marker), and finally '大切にする' (to cherish).
This sentence means 'This neighborhood is very quiet.' 'この' (this) modifies 'ご近所' (neighborhood), followed by 'は' (topic marker), then 'とても' (very), and finally '静かです' (is quiet).
Do you feel neighborhood ties are thinning out recently?
Building good relationships with your neighbors leads to a richer emotional life.
During disasters, mutual aid among neighbors becomes extremely important.
Read this aloud:
引っ越したら、まずご近所に挨拶に行くのが日本の習慣です。
Focus: ご近所 (Gokinjo)
You said:
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Read this aloud:
ご近所の皆さんと協力して、地域の清掃活動を行いました。
Focus: ご近所の皆さん (Gokinjo no minasan)
You said:
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Read this aloud:
都会では、ご近所さんの顔も知らないという人も少なくありません。
Focus: ご近所さん (Gokinjo-san)
You said:
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This sentence means 'You should help your neighbors to build good relationships.' The order places the beneficiary ('ご近所と'), then the action ('助け合うべきです'), and finally the purpose ('良好な関係を築くためには').
This sentence translates to 'Gaining the understanding of your neighbors is important for smooth community activities.' The topic ('円滑な地域活動には') comes first, followed by the action/subject ('ご近所の理解を得ることが') and the predicate ('重要です').
This sentence means 'Local festivals become an opportunity to deepen exchanges with neighbors.' It starts with the subject ('地域のお祭りは'), then the object ('ご近所との交流'), the action ('深める'), and finally the outcome ('きっかけとなります').
/ 126 correct
Perfect score!
Summary
ご近所 refers to your neighborhood and the people living there, often implying a sense of community.
- B1
- Neighborhood
- Local residents
Basic Meaning of ご近所
ご近所 (ごきんじょ) refers to your immediate neighborhood, but it also carries the nuance of the people living there. Think of it as 'the neighbors' or 'the neighborhood community'.
Using ご近所 in Sentences
You can use ご近所 when talking about the area itself or the people. For example, 「ご近所は静かです」 (The neighborhood is quiet) or 「ご近所の方に会いました」 (I met someone from the neighborhood).
Importance of ご近所付き合い
The concept of ご近所付き合い (ごきんじょづきあい) or neighborly relations is very important in Japan. It emphasizes maintaining good relationships with your neighbors through greetings, small talk, and mutual help.
Politeness with ご
The ご in ご近所 is an honorific prefix, making the word more polite. It shows respect for the neighborhood and its residents. You wouldn't typically drop the ご when using this word.
Related Content
This Word in Other Languages
More family words
還暦
B160th birthday (celebration of completing a 60-year cycle).
〜くらい
B1About; approximately; to the extent that.
認め合う
B1To recognize each other's worth; to acknowledge.
知人
B1Acquaintance.
顔見知り
A2Acquaintance; someone you know by sight.
甘える
B1To be spoiled, to fawn; to behave like a pampered child.
活発な
B1Active; lively; vigorous.
思春期
B1Adolescence; the period of transition from childhood to adulthood.
養子
B1Adopted child; a child taken into one's family by legal means.
養親
B2Adoptive parent.
