Translation and Meaning of: 宅 - taku

The Japanese word 宅[たく] is a common term in everyday Japan, but its meaning and usage can raise questions for language learners. In this article, we will explore what this word represents, how it is written, its origin, and how it is used in different contexts. In addition, we will look at some cultural curiosities and tips for memorizing it effectively. If you want to better understand Japanese vocabulary, this guide from Suki Nihongo will help you master this essential term.

Meaning and translation of 宅[たく]

宅[たく] is a kanji that means "house" or "home," but its use goes beyond the literal sense. While in Portuguese we use "casa" in a broad way, in Japanese this word can carry specific nuances depending on the context. For example, it appears in expressions like 自宅[じたく] (own house) or 宅配[たくはい] (home delivery).

A more accurate translation to English would be "home" or "residence," since 宅[たく] often refers to the space where someone lives, and not just the physical building. In sentences like "宅にいる" (I'm at home), it indicates the place where the person resides, reinforcing the idea of a personal and familiar space.

Origin and writing of the kanji 宅

The kanji 宅 is composed of the radical 宀 (roof), which appears in various characters related to housing, such as 家 (house) and 室 (room). The lower part, 乇, has an ancient origin and does not have an independent meaning in modern Japanese. Together, these elements form an ideogram that represents a habitable space, reinforcing the connection to the concept of home.

Interestingly, 宅 can also be used in words that refer to a more reclusive lifestyle, such as オタク (otaku), originally a term used to designate someone who spends a lot of time at home. This usage shows how the word has evolved beyond its physical meaning, acquiring social and behavioral connotations over time.

Cultural usage and frequency in Japan

In Japan, 宅[たく] is a commonly used word, present in various practical situations. It appears in services like 宅急便[たっきゅうびん] (express delivery) or in notices like 宅配ボックス (delivery box). Its use is so common that many Japanese people don't even notice its presence in everyday expressions.

It is worth noting that, although it is neutral in formal registers, 宅[たく] can acquire more informal tones when used alone. For example, saying just "宅で待ってる" (I'm waiting at home) sounds natural among friends, but in professional situations, it is more common to choose 自宅[じたく] for greater formality. This detail is important for those who want to sound natural when speaking Japanese.

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Synonyms and similar words

• 家 (Ie) - Home, house.
• 住宅 (Jūtaku) - Residence, dwelling; generally refers to houses or apartments in urban areas.
• 住居 (Jūkyo) - Place of residence; it may include a variety of types of housing.
• 家屋 (Kau) - House structure; more focused on physical construction.
• 家庭 (Katei) - Family, family environment; it implies life within the household.
• 住所 (Jūsho) - Address; reference to the location where a person resides, legally.

宅

Romaji: taku
Kana: たく
Type: noun
L: jlpt-n3

Translation / Meaning: House; home; husband

Meaning in English: house;home;husband

Definition: Home. A place to live.

Example Sentences - (宅) taku

See below some example sentences:

その邸宅はとても豪華でした。

sono teitaku wa totemo gouka deshita

That mansion was very luxurious.

The mansion was very luxurious.

• その - demonstrative pronoun "that"
• 邸宅 - noun "mansion"
• は - Topic particle
• とても - adverb "very"
• 豪華 - adjective "luxurious"
• でした - verb "to be" in the polite past

無事に帰宅しました。

Mujou ni kitaku shimashita

I returned home safely.

I got home safely.

• 無事に - "without problems" or "without incident"
• 帰宅 - "coming home"
• しました - "made" or "realized"

住宅は私たちの人生の中で最も大きな買い物の一つです。

Jūtaku wa watashitachi no jinsei no naka de mottomo ōkina kaimono no hitotsu desu

A house is one of the biggest purchases in our lives.

Housing is one of the biggest purchases in our lives.

• 住宅 (juutaku) - house, residence
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• 私たち (watashitachi) - we, our
• の (no) - Possession particle
• 人生 (jinsei) - life
• の中で (no naka de) - Inside of
• 最も (mottomo) - the most, the most important
• 大きな (ookina) - large
• 買い物 (kaimono) - purchase, purchase of goods
• の (no) - Possession particle
• 一つ (hitotsu) - one of the
• です (desu) - verb to be, to stay

私は自宅で勉強します。

Watashi wa jitaku de benkyō shimasu

I study at home.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case "I"
• 自宅 (jitaku) - noun that means "house" or "residence"
• で (de) - particle that indicates the location where the action occurs, in this case "at home"
• 勉強 (benkyou) - noun that means "study" or "learning"
• します (shimasu) - verb that means "to do" or "to carry out", in this case "I do/carry out studies"

私の宅は静かです。

Watashi no taku wa shizuka desu

My house is quiet.

My house is quiet.

• 私 - personal pronoun that means "I"
• の - particle indicating possession, equivalent to "my"
• 宅 - noun that means "house"
• は - particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, equivalent to "about"
• 静か - adjective that means "quiet, silent"
• です - verb "to be" in the polite and polite form

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