Meaning
The kanji 住 primarily means to live, to reside, or to dwell. It encompasses the idea of inhabiting a place, making it one's home or usual dwelling. Understanding this kanji is fundamental to describing where people settle down and establish their lives.
The kanji 住 has an illustrative origin, combining two simpler components. On the left is the radical 亻, a variation of 人 (person). This clearly indicates the kanji's connection to human activity. On the right, we find the component 主, which means 'master' or 'owner.' It also carries connotations of 'pillar,' 'main,' or 'stable/fixed.'
When these two parts combine, the kanji visually suggests a person who is fixed or settled in a place. They become the 'master' of their own space, or simply establish a stable location. This vividly conveys the idea of residing or living somewhere permanently or for an extended period.
Thus, the visual form of 住 directly reinforces its meaning: a person taking root and establishing themselves in a place. It's not about transient visiting, but about making a location one's permanent abode. This kanji has 7 strokes and is taught in the 2nd grade in Japanese elementary schools, underscoring its fundamental role in everyday language.
Readings
On'yomi (音読み) — Chinese-derived readings
On'yomi readings are derived from Chinese pronunciations. They are typically used when 住 appears as part of a compound word (熟語). For N4 learners, the most important On'yomi for 住 is ジュウ (JUU).
ジュウ (JUU): This is the predominant On'yomi, used in a wide range of words related to residence, housing, and inhabitants. It often appears in formal terms or nouns that describe places and the people who live there.
住所 (jūsho) — address (the place where one lives)
住宅 (jūtaku) — housing, residential house (a building for living)
住民 (jūmin) — resident, inhabitant (people who live in a particular area)
Kun'yomi (訓読み) — Native Japanese readings
Kun'yomi readings are native Japanese pronunciations. These are generally used when the kanji stands alone as a verb or adjective, often accompanied by 送り仮名 (okurigana) — hiragana characters attached to the kanji.
す・む (su・mu): This is the most common Kun'yomi, forming the verb 住む (sumu). It means 'to live, to reside, to dwell,' describing the act of inhabiting a place.
住む (sumu) — to live, to reside (e.g., 日本に住む — to live in Japan)
住んでいる (sunde iru) — is living (e.g., 東京に住んでいる — is living in Tokyo)
住みやすい (sumi-yasui) — easy to live in, comfortable to live in
す・まう (su・mau): This is a slightly more formal or literary variant of 'to live, to reside.' While less common in everyday conversation than 住む, it's useful to recognize. It often implies a more poetic or long-term residence.
住まう (sumau) — to reside, to dwell
住まい (sumai) — dwelling, residence, home (a noun form often used in a slightly more formal or aesthetic context than 'house')
都に住まう (miyako ni sumau) — to reside in the capital
Common Words & Compounds
Understanding 住 is essential for discussing homes, addresses, and communities. Here are some common words and compounds, categorized by their usage, to help you expand your vocabulary.
Words related to Residence and Housing:
- 住所 (jūsho) — address
- 住宅 (jūtaku) — housing, residential house
- 住居 (jūkyo) — dwelling, residence (a place of living)
- 住まい (sumai) — dwelling, residence, home (a more personal or artistic term for one's abode)
- 移住 (ijū) — migration, immigration (moving residence)
Words related to People and Places:
- 住民 (jūmin) — resident, inhabitant (people living in a specific area)
- 居住地 (kyojūchi) — place of residence
- 居住者 (kyojūsha) — resident (a person who resides)
- 住宅街 (jūtaku-gai) — residential area, housing district
Verbs and Adjectives related to Living:
- 居住する (kyojū suru) — to reside, to live (formal verb for living in a place)
- 住み慣れる (sumi-nareru) — to get used to living in a place
Example Sentences
私は東京に住んでいます。
Watashi wa Tōkyō ni sunde imasu.
I live in Tokyo.
あなたの住所はどこですか？
Anata no jūsho wa doko desu ka?
What is your address?
この町は住みやすいです。
Kono machi wa sumi-yasui desu.
This town is easy to live in.
新しい住宅がたくさん建っています。
Atarashii jū-taku ga takusan tatte imasu.
Many new houses are being built.
彼は今海外に住んでいます。
Kare wa ima kaigai ni sunde imasu.
He is currently living overseas.
この地域の住民はとても親切です。
Kono chiiki no jūmin wa totemo shinsetsu desu.
The residents of this area are very kind.
私の住んでいる家は古いです。
Watashi no sunde iru ie wa furui desu.
The house I live in is old.
ここに住み始めて五年になります。
Koko ni sumi-hajimete gonen ni narimasu.
It has been five years since I started living here.
将来は田舎に住みたいです。
Shōrai wa inaka ni sumitai desu.
In the future, I want to live in the countryside.
Related Kanji
- 弟 — Younger Brother, Junior (Kanji N4)
- 以 — By Means Of, With, From (Kanji N4)
- 黒 — Black, Dark (Kanji N4)
- 洗 — Wash (Kanji N4)
- 短 — Short, brief, defect (Kanji N4)
- 田 — Rice Field (Kanji N4)
Memory Tip
To remember the kanji 住, consider its components: the 亻 (person radical) on the left and 主 (master/owner) on the right. Imagine a person (亻) who finds a place where they can be the master (主) of their own domain. When you are the master of a place, you truly live or reside there. Alternatively, visualize a person standing on a stable 'pillar' or 'ground' (implied by 主), signifying a fixed presence and residence. A person settles down to become the 'main' resident. This visual story of a person settling down to 'master' their living space can help you recall the meaning of 'to live' or 'to reside' for 住.