Looking for a place to live
Renting an apartment in Japan: Japanese phrases
You're friends. You're moving, and Ren has lived in Shimokitazawa long enough to know which streets are quiet. He's come to the agency with you, and the listings are spread out on the desk. Ren speaks first, in casual Japanese: plain forms, without です and ます, the way friends and family talk. Here is how it can begin, and the phrases and words worth having ready.
casualWith Ren, at the real estate agency
How Ren opens the conversation
Ren always speaks first. This is the scene's own opening line, with a reply you could give back at the same level:
家賃、いくらまでなら大丈夫？
Yachin, ikura made nara daijōbu?
How much rent can you manage?
You could say
八万円くらいかな。駅に近いといいな。
Hachiman-en kurai ka na. Eki ni chikai to ii na.
Around eighty thousand yen. Close to the station would be nice.
Other ways it can begin
No two conversations go the same way, and the first line changes too. Each of these can open the scene:
この部屋、日当たりよさそうだね。
Kono heya, hiatari yosasō da ne.
This place looks like it gets good sunlight.
You could say
ほんとだ、明るいね。
Honto da, akarui ne.
You're right, it's bright.
南口の方は、夜も静かだよ。
Minamiguchi no hō wa, yoru mo shizuka da yo.
The south exit side is quiet even at night.
You could say
へえ、知らなかった。
Hē, shiranakatta.
Huh, I didn't know that.
引っ越し、いつまでにするの？
Hikkoshi, itsu made ni suru no?
When do you need to move by?
You could say
来月中がいいな。
Raigetsu-chū ga ii na.
Sometime next month would be good.
あ、この写真、猫が写ってる。
A, kono shashin, neko ga utsutteru.
Oh, there's a cat in this photo.
You could say
ほんとだ、かわいいね。
Honto da, kawaii ne.
You're right, it's cute.
まず、この三つ見てみよう。
Mazu, kono mittsu mite miyō.
Let's look at these three first.
You could say
うん、そうしよう。
Un, sō shiyō.
Yeah, let's do that.
Phrases worth knowing here
Lines for what you do at the real estate agency, each with when you'd say it.
- 予算、どのくらい？Yosan, dono kurai?What's your budget?Ren asks this while spreading out the listings; answer with a number.
- この辺、夜は静かだよKono hen, yoru wa shizuka da yoThis area's quiet at night.Ren's local knowledge about a neighborhood on a listing; use it yourself to ask 静か？
- 駅から歩いて何分？Eki kara aruite nanpun?How many minutes on foot from the station?Ask about any listing you pick up off the desk.
- これ、ちょっと高くない？Kore, chotto takakunai?Isn't this a bit expensive?When the rent on a listing is over your budget.
- 一回、見に行ってみようよIkkai, mi ni itte miyou yoLet's go take a look at it.Suggesting a viewing once you've narrowed down a place.
Words you'll hear
| Japanese | Romaji | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 物件 | bukken | property, listing |
| 家賃 | yachin | rent |
| 間取り | madori | floor plan/layout |
| 駅 | eki | station |
| 徒歩 | toho | on foot (walking distance) |
| 日当たり | hiatari | sunlight (in a room) |
| 築 | chiku | age of the building |
| 敷金 | shikikin | deposit |
| 内見 | naiken | apartment viewing |
| 静か | shizuka | quiet |
How polite to be
casual Here Ren speaks casual Japanese: plain forms, without です and ます, the way friends and family talk, and the replies suggested to you match the level you'd use back. The guide to keigo explains the three levels, and when each is right.
Try it out loud
In Unsubtitled, Ren says these lines in their own voice, and answers whatever you say back, typed or dictated, with furigana, romaji, and a translation until you no longer need them.
Start talkingMore scenes with Ren
- Asking the way蓮（れん） · Train stationpolite
- At the record shop蓮（れん） · Record shopformal
- Drinks after work蓮（れん） · Izakayacasual
- A night at the arcade蓮（れん） · Game centercasual
- Cherry blossoms in the park蓮（れん） · Parkcasual
- Sending a parcel home蓮（れん） · Post officecasual
- Something left on the train蓮（れん） · Police boxcasual
- Choosing new glasses蓮（れん） · Glasses shopcasual
- At the top of the mountain蓮（れん） · Mountain summitcasual
Or see every scene, with all four characters.