Translation and Meaning of: 自宅 - jitaku

Have you ever encountered the Japanese word 自宅 (じたく) and felt curious about its meaning or how to use it? This simple yet essential expression frequently appears in everyday life in Japan and can be useful for those learning the language. In this article, we will explore what 自宅 means, its origin, common uses, and even tips for memorizing it efficiently. Whether for understanding dialogues in animes or for better communication in Japanese, knowing this word is an important step.

The meaning and origin of 自宅

自宅 (じたく) is composed of two kanjis: 自 (ji), which means "own" or "oneself," and 宅 (taku), which refers to "house" or "residence." Together, they form the idea of "one's own house" or "home." Unlike words like 家 (いえ), which also means "house," 自宅 carries a more formal tone and is often used in contexts that emphasize the idea of being in one's own space.

The term does not have a complex historical origin, but its composition reflects the common logic of Japanese, where kanjis combine to create more specific meanings. While 家 can be used in a more general sense, 自宅 is more precise, clearly indicating someone's personal residence.

How and when to use 自宅 in everyday life

自宅 is a versatile word, appearing in both formal and informal situations. For example, when saying "I'm at home" in Japanese, you can use 「自宅にいます」(jitaku ni imasu) to sound more natural than just saying 「家にいます」(ie ni imasu). It is also common in work notices, such as in 「自宅勤務」(jitaku kinmu), which means "work from home."

Another common use is in expressions like 「自宅警備員」(jitaku keibiin), a common joke on the Japanese internet referring to someone who spends a lot of time at home. Despite the humorous tone, it shows how the word is rooted in daily life. However, avoid using it to refer to someone else's home—in that case, お宅 (otaku) or 家 (ie) are more appropriate.

Tips for memorizing 自宅 and avoiding confusions

An effective way to fix 自宅 is to associate its kanjis with mental images. The 自 (ji) resembles a nose, which can symbolize something personal, while 宅 (taku) has the radical 宀 (roof), indicating a building. Together, they form the idea of "one's own home." Repeating phrases like 「今日は自宅で休む」(kyou wa jitaku de yasumu - "Today I will rest at home") also helps consolidate the vocabulary.

Be careful not to confuse 自宅 with similar words, such as 住宅 (juutaku - "residence" in the sense of housing) or 実家 (jikka - "parents' house"). The first specifically refers to your own home, while the others have distinct meanings. Practicing with real examples, such as subtitles or Japanese texts, can reinforce these differences.

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Synonyms and similar words

• 自分の家 (jibun no ie) - My own house
• 自分の住まい (jibun no sumai) - My own residence
• 自己の居所 (jikō no kyosho) - My own home

自宅

Romaji: jitaku
Kana: じたく
Type: noun
L: -

Translation / Meaning: is at home

Meaning in English: one's home

Definition: my house.

Example Sentences - (自宅) jitaku

See below some example sentences:

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"