Translation and Meaning of: 住む - sumu

The Japanese word 住む [すむ] is an essential verb for those learning the language, as it is directly related to the concept of living or residing. Whether to describe where someone lives or to talk about residence in everyday contexts, this term frequently appears in conversations and texts. In this article, we will explore its meaning, practical use, and some peculiarities that help to better understand how it fits into the Japanese language and culture.

In addition to being a common verb, 住む carries interesting nuances that may go unnoticed by beginner students. From its writing in kanji to the way it is used in different situations, there are details worth knowing. If you have ever wondered how to use it correctly or why it is so prevalent in everyday life in Japan, keep reading to find out more.

Meaning and use of 住む

The verb 住む (sumu) means "to live" or "to reside" and is used to indicate where someone resides. Unlike Portuguese, which has variations like "to live" or "to reside," this term is the most common in Japanese to express this idea. It can be applied to both people and animals, as long as they are in a fixed location. For example, saying "東京に住んでいます" (Tōkyō ni sunde imasu) means "I live in Tokyo."

An important characteristic of 住む is that it usually requires the particle に (ni) to indicate the place of residence. This distinguishes it from other movement verbs, which can use で (de) or を (wo). This simple rule helps to avoid common mistakes among students. Additionally, it is often used in the present continuous (住んでいます) to describe where someone currently lives, reinforcing its durative quality.

The kanji 住 and its origin

The kanji 住 is composed of the radical 亻 (person) and the component 主 (lord, owner), suggesting the idea of a place where someone establishes themselves. This combination reflects well the meaning of the verb, as living is connected to human presence in a space. According to the Kangorin dictionary, this character was already used in ancient Chinese with a similar meaning, showing how writing carries a long history.

It is worth noting that 住 also appears in other words related to housing, such as 住所 (jūsho - address) and 住宅 (jūtaku - residence). This pattern of composition is common in Japanese and helps expand vocabulary when the basic kanjis are known. For those who are learning, noticing these connections can be a great way to reinforce the meaning and uses of the character.

Tips to memorize and use 住む

An effective way to remember 住む is to associate it with concrete situations, such as talking about your city or asking others where they live. Phrases like "どこに住んでいますか？" (Doko ni sunde imasu ka? - Where do you live?) are useful for practice. Repeating this type of dialogue in studies or conversations helps to internalize the verb naturally.

Another tip is to pay attention to how 住む appears in animes, dramas, or news. As it is a common term, it frequently appears in real contexts, which makes it easier to understand its usage. Watching authentic content can be a fun way to see the verb in action and absorb its nuances effortlessly.

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Verb conjugation of 住む

• 住む - Infinitive form
• 住みます - Present affirmative form
• 住まない - Present Negative Form
• 住んでいます - Present Continuous Affirmative Form
• 住まなかった - past form
• 住んでいました - Past continuous form

Synonyms and similar words

• 居住する (Kyoju suru) - reside; to live in a place
• 住まう (Sumau) - to inhabit; to reside
• 住居する (Jukyo suru) - to have a residence; to have a home
• 住み着く (Sumitsuku) - to settle down; to establish residence
• 住み込む (Sumikomu) - to live permanently; to reside within a place
• 住まい (Sumai) - housing; house
• 住居 (Jukyo) - residence; housing
• 住民 (Jumin) - inhabitant; resident
• 住人 (Juunin) - resident; a person who resides in a place
• 住む人 (Sumu hito) - person who lives in a place
• 住まわせる (Sumawaseru) - have someone live; allow someone to live
• 住まわす (Sumawasu) - provide housing; accommodate someone
• 住まわし (Sumawashi) - rent or lease of housing

住む

Romaji: sumu
Kana: すむ
Type: verb
L: jlpt-n5

Translation / Meaning: fulfill; reside; live; dwell; inhabit

Meaning in English: to abide;to reside;to live in;to inhabit;to dwell

Definition: living in a certain place.

Example Sentences - (住む) sumu

See below some example sentences:

私たちは社宅に住んでいます。

Watashitachi wa shataku ni sunde imasu

We live in an apartment provided by the company.

We live in a company's home.

• 私たち - 私たち
• は - Japanese topic particle
• 社宅 - "company house" in Japanese
• に - Location particle in Japanese
• 住んでいます - "we live" in Japanese