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40. At Home

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Vocabulary

家 (いえ) ie

house; home

Noun

A word for a person, place, thing, or idea.

家はどこですか。
ie wa doko desu ka. — Where is your house?
私の家は大きいです。
watashi no ie wa ookii desu. — My house is big.
家に帰ります。
ie ni kaerimasu. — I'm going home.
部屋 (へや) heya

room

Noun

A word for a person, place, thing, or idea.

この部屋は広いです。
kono heya wa hiroi desu. — This room is spacious.
部屋に入ります。
heya ni hairimasu. — I'm going into the room.
部屋はいくつありますか。
heya wa ikutsu arimasu ka. — How many rooms are there?
トイレ toire

toilet; bathroom

Noun

A word for a person, place, thing, or idea.

トイレはどこですか。
toire wa doko desu ka. — Where is the bathroom?
トイレはあそこです。
toire wa asoko desu. — The bathroom is over there.
すみません、トイレはありますか。
sumimasen, toire wa arimasu ka. — Excuse me, is there a bathroom?

Cultural Notes

Taking off your shoes at the 玄関

In Japan, you always take off your shoes at the 玄関 before stepping into the house. The 玄関 is slightly lower than the rest of the house, and stepping up past it in socks or slippers signals you're truly "inside." Entering someone's home with shoes on would be a serious mistake.

広い and 狭い — more than just size

Japanese homes are often smaller than what people from other countries expect, so 広い is a genuine compliment when describing someone's home or room. Saying 広いですね about someone's place will make them happy. On the other hand, calling your own place 狭い is common and considered humble, not negative.

The トイレ is always separate

In most Japanese homes, the トイレ is in its own small room, separate from the bath and sink area. If you're visiting someone's 家 and need to ask トイレはどこですか, don't be surprised when they point you to a tiny dedicated room rather than a full bathroom.