Motto Shiritai Nihongo

Words Used When Looking to Rent a Home

Madori・LDK・JoChikunensuShinchikuSoku入居-nyukyo-ka

 

In April, many people are moving because they are entering a school or starting a new job.
What kind of space do you want to live in? Here are some words to use when looking for a place to live.

-Madori(apartment layouts)
-LDK (Living, Dining, Kitchen)
-Jo (tatami mat: unit of room size)

Madori is the number, size, and layout of rooms.
For example, a 2LDK has two rooms, a living room, a dining room, and a kitchen.

  • 1K
    =One room and a kitchen
  • 1DK
    =One room, a dining room, and a kitchen
  • 1R(ワンルーム)
    =Studio type. A kitchen is located in the only room. There is no door separating the entrance from the room.

 

Room size is described in square meters or jo (tatami mats).

  • 1 jo (one tatami mat) = 1.65㎡

 

ChikunensuShinchiku

Chiku-nensu is the number of years since the building was built. For example, chiku-6 nen is a building built six years ago.


Shin-chiku is a room that is less than one year old, and no one has lived in it yet.

 

Soku入居-nyukyo-ka

"Soku-nyukyo-ka" rooms are ready to live in as soon as you sign a contract. You have to prepare some documents to sign a room contract and pass a screening process to see if you may rent a room. It takes several days from the screening to your move-in date. Please note that you will not be able to move in until a contract is completed.

If a room does not say soku-nyukyo-ka, it is not possible to move in immediately. So, check when it is possible to move in.