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A2 verb #2,500 最常用 7分钟阅读

住む

sumu
At the A1 level, you learn 'sumu' as a basic verb to describe your home. You usually learn it in the form '...ni sunde imasu' (I live in...). It is one of the first verbs you use to introduce yourself. You don't need to worry about complex nuances yet; just remember the pattern: [Place] + に + 住んでいます. For example, 'Japan ni sunde imasu' (I live in Japan). It's a vital part of your 'self-introduction' toolkit. You might also learn 'doko ni sunde imasu ka?' (Where do you live?) to ask others about their homes. The focus here is purely on physical location and the present state of living somewhere.
At the A2 level, you start using 'sumu' in different tenses and forms. You can talk about where you want to live using 'sumitai' (e.g., 'Hiroi uchi ni sumitai' - I want to live in a big house). You also learn the past tense 'sunde imashita' to talk about where you used to live. You begin to see 'sumu' in simple relative clauses, like 'watashi ga sunde iru machi' (the town where I live). You also start to understand the difference between 'sumu' and 'tomaru' (staying at a hotel). The particle 'ni' becomes a fixed rule in your mind for this verb. You might also encounter 'sumiyasui' (easy to live in) when describing cities.
At the B1 level, you explore the nuances between 'sumu' and 'kurasu'. You understand that 'sumu' is about the address/residence, while 'kurasu' is about the daily routine. You can use 'sumu' in more complex grammar structures, such as 'sumu koto ni natta' (it has been decided that I will live...). You also learn the potential form 'sumeru' to discuss whether a place is habitable or affordable. You might use the conditional 'sumeba' (if you live...) in proverbs like 'sumeba miyako'. Your vocabulary expands to include nouns like 'sumai' (residence/dwelling) and you can discuss housing issues or preferences in more detail during conversations.
At the B2 level, you use 'sumu' in formal and informal registers with ease. You understand the humble and honorific versions, such as 'osumai' (honorific residence). You can use 'sumu' in passive or causative-passive constructions if needed, though they are rare. You start to recognize 'sumu' in compound verbs like 'sumitsuku' (to settle down) or 'sumiwakeru' (to live in separate areas/habitats). You can write essays about urbanization or the pros and cons of living in the countryside versus the city, using 'sumu' to describe demographic shifts. You also understand the legal implications of 'juusho' (address) and 'juumin' (resident) which share the kanji.
At the C1 level, you appreciate the subtle literary and metaphorical uses of 'sumu'. You might encounter it in classical literature or high-level journalism where it describes populations or species in specific ecological niches. You understand the nuance of 'sumu' when used for non-human entities (like spirits or concepts) in a poetic sense. You can discuss the sociology of 'sumu'—how the environment affects the residents. You are comfortable with formal synonyms like 'kyouju suru' and can switch between them depending on the audience. You also understand the historical development of the kanji and its relationship to other characters like 'chuusha' (parking) or 'chuuzai' (stationing).
At the C2 level, you have a native-like grasp of 'sumu'. You can detect the slightest nuance when an author chooses 'sumu' over 'kurasu' to emphasize the physical confinement or the rootedness of a character. You can use the word in complex philosophical discussions about what it means to 'inhabit' a space or a language. You are familiar with rare idioms and archaic uses found in pre-modern texts. You can effortlessly handle legal, technical, and poetic contexts involving residency. For you, 'sumu' is not just a verb but a concept that links geography, identity, and existence in the Japanese linguistic worldview.
开始练习 例句 笔记与提示

住む 30秒了解

  • Sumu means 'to live' or 'to reside' in a specific physical location.
  • Always use the particle 'ni' with the location of residence.
  • The form 'sunde iru' is used for the current state of living somewhere.
  • It differs from 'kurasu' (lifestyle) and 'ikiru' (being alive).

The Japanese verb 住む (sumu) is a foundational word that primarily translates to "to live" or "to reside." At its core, it describes the act of establishing a dwelling or making a place one's home. Unlike English, where "live" can mean many things (to be alive, to experience life, to reside), sumu is specifically focused on the physical and legal state of habitation.

Grammar Marker
Usually takes the particle に (ni) to indicate the location of residence (e.g., 東京に住む).
Kanji Origin
The kanji 住 combines 'person' (亻) with 'lord/master' (主), suggesting a person staying fixed in a place like a master of a house.
State vs. Action
While sumu is the dictionary form, in daily conversation, it is almost always used in the continuous state form 住んでいる (sunde-iru).

私は京都に住んでいます。 (I am living in Kyoto.)

When we talk about the history of this word, we see it appearing in the earliest Japanese texts. It differentiates itself from kurasu (to spend time/live a lifestyle) by focusing on the roof over one's head. If you are 'living' in a hotel for a week, you might not use sumu; you would use tomaru (stay). Sumu implies a degree of permanence or a settled state. This is why it is the standard term for addresses and residency status in official documents.

将来、海の近くに住みたいです。 (I want to live near the sea in the future.)

In a broader sense, sumu can also be used for animals in their habitats. For example, 'Bears live in the mountains' would use sumu. However, it is rarely used for plants. The nuance of 'settling down' is very strong here. In modern Japanese, the distinction between 'living' as an inhabitant and 'living' as a biological entity is strictly maintained between sumu and ikiru.

この川には珍しい魚が住んでいる。 (Rare fish live in this river.)

Social Nuance
Asking 'Where do you live?' (どこに住んでいますか？) is a standard icebreaker in Japan, similar to Western cultures.
Formal Variation
In very formal contexts, sumu might be replaced by kyouju suru (to reside).

一人で住むのは寂しいですか？ (Is it lonely to live alone?)

Finally, consider the metaphorical use. While rare, one can 'live' in a world of dreams or a specific mental state, though sumu remains predominantly physical. It is the anchor of Japanese spatial identity. To 'sumu' is to belong to a place geographically.

Using 住む (sumu) correctly requires understanding its conjugation and the specific particles it pairs with. As a Group 1 (U-verb), it follows standard patterns, but its usage in the -te iru form is what confuses most beginners. In Japanese, if you are currently residing somewhere, you must use 住んでいる (sunde iru). The plain form sumu often implies a future intent or a general habit.

The 'Ni' Particle
Always use [Location] + に + 住む. Using 'de' is a common mistake for English speakers because 'at' or 'in' often translates to 'de' for other actions.
Negative Form
住んでいない (sunde inai) means 'I don't live there' or 'It is uninhabited'.

A: どこに住んでいますか？ (Where do you live?)
B: 大阪に住んでいます。 (I live in Osaka.)

When describing a past residence, you use sunde imashita. If you want to say 'I used to live in London,' you say 'Rondon ni sunde imashita.' The verb is also useful for describing types of housing. You can say 'apaato ni sumu' (live in an apartment) or 'ikkandate ni sumu' (live in a detached house).

For advanced learners, sumu can be combined with other verbs. Sumitsuku means to settle down permanently or to take up residence somewhere, often unexpectedly. Sumunareta means to be used to living in a place. These compound verbs enrich your descriptions of domestic life.

ここはとても住みやすい街です。 (This is a very easy-to-live-in town.)

The potential form sumeru (can live) is frequently used when discussing budgets or conditions. 'Kono kingaku dewa sumenai' (I can't live on this amount/in this place for this price). It highlights the feasibility of habitation.

You will encounter 住む in almost every facet of Japanese life. From casual introductions to formal government forms, it is the standard way to discuss location. In anime, characters often discuss their 'sumika' (dwelling/hideout), which is a noun derived from the same root. In news reports, you might hear about 'juumin' (residents), which uses the same kanji.

Real Estate
Real estate agents (fudousan-ya) will constantly use terms like 'sumigokochi' (comfort of living) to sell apartments.
City Hall
When registering your address (juusho), clerks will ask where you 'sunde iru'.

「お住まいはどちらですか？」 (Where is your residence? - Very polite)

In literature, sumu is used to create a sense of place. Authors describe the 'sumu hito' (the people who live there) to set the scene. In pop songs, lyrics often mention 'sumi-nareta machi' (the town I'm used to living in) to evoke nostalgia. It is a word that carries the weight of 'home' without the emotional intensity of the word 'home' itself.

On social media, people use the hashtag #一人暮らし (hitorigurashi - living alone) which is related to the concept of sumu, though it uses the 'kurasu' root. However, when they describe the actual apartment, they go back to sumu. For example, 'Koko ni sumu koto ni shimashita' (I decided to live here).

The most frequent mistake learners make with 住む is the particle choice. Because English says "I live in Tokyo," and 'in' is often de in Japanese for actions (like 'eating in Tokyo'), students naturally say Tokyo de sumu. This is incorrect. Sumu is a verb of existence/state in this context, requiring ni.

Mistake 1: Particle Error
Incorrect: 東京で住んでいます。 (Tokyo de sunde imasu)
Correct: 東京に住んでいます。 (Tokyo ni sunde imasu)
Mistake 2: Tense Confusion
Incorrect: 私は日本に住みます。 (I live in Japan - sounds like a future promise)
Correct: 私は日本に住んでいます。 (I live in Japan - current state)

Don't confuse 住む (sumu) with 生きる (ikiru). Use sumu for your house, ikiru for being alive.

Another mistake is using sumu for short-term stays. If you are staying at a friend's house for three days, you should use tomaru (stay) or iru (be). Using sumu implies you have moved in, brought your furniture, and registered with the local government. It suggests a change in your 'base of operations'.

Lastly, beginners often forget the -te iru form when introducing themselves. If someone asks where you live, and you answer with the dictionary form sumu, it sounds like you are about to live there or you are stating a general scientific fact about your species.

Japanese has several words for 'living' depending on the nuance. Understanding the difference between 住む (sumu), kurasu, and ikiru is essential for reaching an intermediate level. While they all might translate to 'live' in a dictionary, their applications are distinct.

暮らす (kurasu)
Focuses on the lifestyle and the passage of time. 'I live a quiet life' = shizuka ni kurasu.
生きる (ikiru)
Refers to the biological state of being alive. 'He lived to be 100' = hyakusai made ikita.
滞在する (taizai suru)
To stay/sojourn. Used for business trips or vacations.

Comparison:
1. 東京に住む (Reside in Tokyo)
2. 東京で暮らす (Spend one's daily life in Tokyo)
3. 東京で生きる (Survive/Exist in Tokyo)

There is also kyouju suru (居住する), which is the formal, academic version of sumu. You will see this on tax forms or in legal documents. Another related word is shukuhaku suru (宿泊する), which specifically means to stay overnight at a lodging facility. Choosing the right word depends on whether you are talking about your house, your life, or your survival.

How Formal Is It?

正式

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难度评级

需要掌握的语法

按水平分级的例句

1

東京に住んでいます。

I live in Tokyo.

Uses 'ni' for location and '-te iru' for current state.

2

どこに住んでいますか？

Where do you live?

Standard question for residence.

3

私はアパートに住んでいます。

I live in an apartment.

Noun + ni + sunde imasu.

4

家族と住んでいます。

I live with my family.

'To' particle indicates 'with'.

5

ここに住みたいです。

I want to live here.

'-tai' form expresses desire.

6

京都に住んでいました。

I lived in Kyoto.

Past continuous form.

7

一人で住んでいます。

I live alone.

'Hitori de' means 'alone'.

8

きれいな町に住んでいます。

I live in a beautiful town.

Adjective modifying the noun 'machi'.

1

将来、海外に住みたいです。

I want to live abroad in the future.

Future intent with '-tai'.

2

この町は住みやすいです。

This town is easy to live in.

Verb stem + yasui (easy to...).

3

大学の近くに住むつもりです。

I plan to live near the university.

Dictionary form + tsumori (plan to).

4

彼はどこに住んでいるか知りません。

I don't know where he lives.

Embedded question with 'ka'.

5

古い家に住むのは大変です。

Living in an old house is hard.

Nominalizing the verb with 'no'.

6

静かな所に住みたいと思っています。

I'm thinking that I want to live in a quiet place.

'-tai to omotte iru' shows ongoing thought.

7

ここに住んで３年になります。

It has been three years since I started living here.

Expressing duration of residence.

8

住む場所を探しています。

I am looking for a place to live.

Verb modifying the noun 'basho'.

1

住めば都と言います。

They say 'wherever you live is the capital' (home is where the heart is).

Conditional 'ba' form in a proverb.

2

この給料では、東京に住めません。

I can't live in Tokyo on this salary.

Potential negative form 'sumenai'.

3

ずっとここに住み続けるつもりです。

I intend to continue living here forever.

Verb stem + tsuzukeru (continue to).

4

住む人がいない家はすぐに傷みます。

Houses with no one living in them deteriorate quickly.

Relative clause 'sumu hito ga inai'.

5

日本に住むことになって、驚きました。

I was surprised that it was decided I would live in Japan.

'Koto ni naru' indicates an external decision.

6

ここは住むのには不便な場所です。

This is an inconvenient place for living.

'No ni wa' used for purpose/evaluation.

7

彼は山の中に住んでいるそうです。

I heard that he lives in the mountains.

'Sou desu' indicating hearsay.

8

新しいマンションに住み始めました。

I started living in a new apartment.

Verb stem + hajimeru (start to).

1

お住まいはどちらでしょうか？

Where might your residence be? (Very polite)

Honorific 'o-sumai' and polite 'dochira'.

2

この地域には多くの外国人が住み着いています。

Many foreigners have settled down in this area.

Compound verb 'sumitsuku' (to settle).

3

住み慣れた土地を離れるのは辛い。

It is painful to leave the land you are used to living in.

Compound verb 'suminareta' (used to living).

4

都会に住むメリットとデメリットを考えよう。

Let's consider the pros and cons of living in the city.

Abstract discussion of residency.

5

人間が住める環境ではありません。

It is not an environment where humans can live.

Potential form 'sumeru' modifying 'kankyou'.

6

彼はまるで別世界に住んでいるようだ。

It's as if he lives in a different world.

Metaphorical use with 'marude... you da'.

7

住居を構えるには多額の費用がかかる。

Setting up a residence costs a large amount of money.

Formal term 'juukyo' related to 'sumu'.

8

このアパートは住み心地が良い。

This apartment is comfortable to live in.

Noun 'sumigokochi' (living comfort).

1

深海には未知の生物が住んでいる。

Unknown creatures live in the deep sea.

Scientific/descriptive use for habitats.

2

彼は過去の栄光の中に住んでいる。

He lives within his past glory.

Metaphorical/Psychological use.

3

住み分けがなされている現状を分析する。

Analyze the current situation where segregation/habitat segregation is occurring.

Technical term 'sumiwake'.

4

都会の喧騒を離れ、田舎に住まう。

Leaving the hustle and bustle of the city to reside in the countryside.

Literary verb 'sumau'.

5

その土地に住まう人々の知恵を学ぶ。

Learn the wisdom of the people who reside in that land.

Formal/Literary 'sumau'.

6

居住の自由は憲法で保障されている。

Freedom of residence is guaranteed by the constitution.

Legal term 'kyouju' (residence).

7

幽霊が住むと言われている屋敷。

A mansion said to be inhabited by ghosts.

Used for supernatural inhabitants.

8

心の奥底に住む魔物。

The demon that lives in the depths of one's heart.

Poetic/Abstract use.

1

万物に神が宿り、住まうと信じられていた。

It was believed that gods dwell and reside in all things.

Archaic/Spiritual nuance.

2

住む世界が違う二人だった。

They were two people who lived in different worlds (socially/metaphorically).

Idiomatic expression for social distance.

3

都市構造が住民の住み方に与える影響。

The influence of urban structure on the way residents live.

Academic/Sociological context.

4

彼は孤独の中に住み、沈黙を愛した。

He lived within solitude and loved silence.

High literary style.

5

住み込みで働くことを条件に採用された。

He was hired on the condition of living in (at the workplace).

Compound 'sumikomi' (live-in work).

6

この地を終の棲家と定めた。

He decided on this place as his final abode.

Literary term 'tsui no sumika'.

7

言語という家に住む。

To live within the house of language.

Philosophical metaphor (Heideggerian).

8

住まうことの根源的な意味を問う。

Questioning the fundamental meaning of residing.

Ontological inquiry.

常见搭配

東京に住む (Live in Tokyo)
一人で住む (Live alone)
アパートに住む (Live in an apartment)
海外に住む (Live abroad)
一緒に住む (Live together)
田舎に住む (Live in the countryside)
賃貸に住む (Live in a rental)
実家に住む (Live at one's parents' house)
近くに住む (Live nearby)
快適に住む (Live comfortably)

常用短语

どこに住んでいますか？ (Where do you live?)

住めば都 (Home is where you make it)

住み心地がいい (Comfortable to live in)

住む場所がない (Have no place to live)

住み慣れた街 (A town one is used to living in)

お住まいは？ (Where is your residence?)

住み込みの仕事 (Live-in job)

三人で住む (Three people living together)

住む世界が違う (Living in different worlds)

ここに住みたい (I want to live here)

容易混淆的词

住む vs 暮らす (kurasu) - focus on lifestyle

住む vs 泊まる (tomaru) - focus on temporary stay

住む vs 生きる (ikiru) - focus on biological life

习语与表达

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容易混淆

住む vs

住む vs

住む vs

住む vs

住む vs

句型

如何使用

nuance

Focuses on the location/address.

common confusion

Confused with 'kurasu' (lifestyle) and 'tomaru' (temporary stay).

常见错误
  • Using 'de' instead of 'ni'.
  • Using 'sumimasu' for current residence.
  • Using 'sumu' for a 3-day vacation.
  • Confusing 'sumu' with 'ikiru'.
  • Forgetting the 'te' in 'sunde imasu'.

小贴士

Particle Rule

Always pair 'sumu' with 'ni'. Think of it as 'settling INTO' a place.

Self-Intro

When introducing yourself, '...ni sunde imasu' is the most natural way to state your location.

Kanji Meaning

The kanji 住 has the 'person' radical. It's all about where a person stays.

Proverb

Remember 'Sumeba miyako' to express that you've grown to love your new home.

Compound Verbs

Learn 'sumi-yasui' and 'sumi-nikui' to describe neighborhoods.

State vs Action

Residency is a state, so use the '-te iru' form.

Pitch Accent

Sumu is Heiban (flat), so keep your voice steady.

Address

The word for address, 住所 (juusho), starts with the same kanji as 住む.

Politeness

Use 'o-sumai' when asking someone older where they live.

Sumu vs Tomaru

If you have a key and pay rent, you 'sumu'. If you have a reservation, you 'tomaru'.

记住它

记忆技巧

Imagine a PERSON (亻) who is the MASTER (主) of their house. They are 'living' there.

词源

Old Japanese 'sumu'.

文化背景

Gifting 'hikkoshi soba' (moving noodles) to neighbors when you start living in a new place.

The distinction between 'apaato' (wood/steel frame) and 'manshon' (concrete) is important when choosing where to 'sumu'.

住めば都 (Sumeba miyako)

在生活中练习

真实语境

对话开场白

"どこに住んでいますか？ (Where do you live?)"

"一人暮らしですか？ (Do you live alone?)"

"今の家は住みやすいですか？ (Is your current house easy to live in?)"

"将来はどこに住みたいですか？ (Where do you want to live in the future?)"

"この近所に住んでいますか？ (Do you live in this neighborhood?)"

日记主题

私が住んでいる町について。 (About the town I live in.)

将来住みたい家のデザイン。 (The design of the house I want to live in in the future.)

一人で住むことの良さと大変さ。 (The pros and cons of living alone.)

今まで住んだ場所で一番好きだった所。 (The place I liked most among the places I've lived.)

理想の住まい。 (My ideal residence.)

常见问题

10 个问题

No, 'sumu' always takes 'ni' because it describes a state of existence in a location, not an action performed at a location.

'Sumu' is about your address and physical residence. 'Kurasu' is about your daily life, habits, and how you spend your time.

'Sunde imasu' means you currently live there. 'Sumimasu' usually means you will live there in the future.

You say 'Hitori de sunde imasu'.

Yes, you can use it to describe where animals live in the wild.

It means 'easy to live in' or 'comfortable to live in'.

It is a standard word. For extra politeness, use 'o-sumai' (noun) or 'kyouju suru' (verb).

No, use 'tomaru' for short stays like hotels or a friend's house.

It refers to a job where you live at the workplace, like a live-in caretaker.

Yes, it generally implies a long-term or settled residence.

自我测试 180 个问题

/ 180 correct

Perfect score!

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