For foreigners who don’t speak Japanese, finding an apartment in Japan can be much easier by using real estate agencies that offer English support. However, these agencies are usually found in major cities and may have a limited selection of properties. Learning some key Japanese phrases related to renting can make the process smoother. This article introduces useful Japanese words and expressions for those looking to rent an apartment in Japan or simply wanting to learn Japanese related to housing.
Useful Japanese Words For Housing
Basic Words Related to Apartment Rental
| Japanese | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| 賃貸 | Chintai | Rent |
| 物件 | Bukken | Property |
| 内見 | Naiken | Property viewing |
| 引っ越し | Hikkoshi | Moving |
| 鍵 | Kagi | Key |
Words Related to Property Structure
| Japanese | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| アパート | Apaato | Small apartment building |
| マンション | Manshon | Big apartment building |
| 木造 | Mokuzou | Wooden structure |
| 間取り | Madori | Layout of the apartment |
| 洋室 | Youshitsu | Western-style room |
| 和室 | Washitsu | Japanese-style room |
| リビング | Ribingu | Living room |
| 玄関 | Genkan | Entrance |
| バルコニー | Barukonii | Balcony |
| 階段 | Kaidan | Stairs |
| エレベーター | Erebeetaa | Elevator |
| トイレ | Toire | Toilet |
| お風呂場 | Oburoba | Bathroom |
Words Related to Facilities and Infrastructure
| Japanese | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| エアコン | Eakon | Air conditioner |
| オートロック | Ootorokku | Automatic lock |
| インターホン | Intaahon | Intercom |
| 駐車場 | Chuushajou | Parking lot |
| コンロ | Konro | Stove |
| 洗濯機置き場 | Sentakuki Okiba | Washing machine space |
| ゴミ捨て場 | Gomisuteba | Trash disposal area |
| ガス | Gas | Gas |
| 水道 | Suidou | Water supply |
| 電気 | Denki | Electricity |
Terms Related to Contracts
| Japanese | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| 家賃 | Yachin | Rent fee |
| 敷金 | Shikikin | Deposit |
| 礼金 | Reikin | Key money |
| 仲介手数料 | Chuukai Tesuuryou | Agent fee |
| 管理費 | Kanrihi | Maintenance fee |
| 契約書 | Keiyakusho | Contract |
| 保証人 | Hoshounin | Guarantor |
| 保険 | Hoken | Insurance |
| 更新 | Koushin | Renewal |
| 契約期間 | Keiyaku Kikan | Contract period |
Phrases to Help You For a Property Hunting
| Japanese | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| ～のアパートはありますか？ | ～ no apaato wa arimasu ka? | Do you have a ～apartments? |
| ～付きの物件がいいです。 | ～ tsuki no bukken ga ii desu | I prefer an apartment with ～ |
| ～に近い物件を希望します。 | ～ ni chikai bukken wo kibou shimasu. | would like an apartment close to ～. |
| 家賃はいくらですか？ | Yachin wa ikura desu ka? | How much is the rent? |
| 敷金と礼金は必要ですか？ | Shikikin to reikin wa hitsuyou desu ka? | Are deposit and key money required? |
| 保証人が必要ですか？ | Hoshounin ga hitsuyou desu ka? | Do I need a guarantor? |
| 内見をしたいです。 | Naiken wo shitai desu | I would like to take a property viewing. |
By learning these words and phrases introduced in this article, you can communicate reasonably well even without English-speaking real estate services. Use this word list to find an ideal apartment for you.
