Learning how to say “address” in Japanese can be quite helpful, especially if you plan on visiting or living in Japan. In this guide, we will provide you with the formal and informal ways to express the word “address” in Japanese, as well as some additional tips and examples to deepen your understanding.
Table of Contents
Formal Ways to Say Address
When using a formal tone, you can express “address” in Japanese as:
1. 住所 (じゅうしょ) – Pronounced as “juusho.”
This is the most common and widely used word for “address” in a formal context. It can be used when requesting or providing an address, or when discussing a specific location in an official manner.
Here are a few examples of how to use 住所 (juusho) in sentences:
申し訳ありませんが、お宅の住所を教えていただけますか？
（もうしわけありませんが、おたくのじゅうしょをおしえていただけますか？）
Excuse me, but could you please tell me your address?
この書類には日本の住所が必要です。
（このしょるいにはにほんのじゅうしょがひつようです。）
This document requires a Japanese address.
Informal Ways to Say Address
If you are in a casual setting or addressing your friends, you might prefer using more informal expressions for “address.” Here are a couple of options:
1. 住所 (じゅうしょ) – Same as the formal version.
2. アドレス (あどれす) – Pronounced as “adoresu.”
The term アドレス (adoresu) is borrowed from English and is often used in casual conversations or when referring to internet-related addresses like email addresses or website URLs. However, it can also be used colloquially to refer to a physical address.
Here are some examples of using 住所 (juusho) and アドレス (adoresu) in informal sentences:
明日遊びに行くんだけど、住所教えてよ。
（あしたあそびにいくんだけど、じゅうしょおしえてよ。）
I’m going to come hang out tomorrow, so tell me your address.
メールのアドレスを教えてくれない？
（めーるのあどれすをおしえてくれない？）
Can you give me your email address?
Tips and Additional Examples
When discussing addresses in Japanese, it’s important to keep in mind a few key points:
- Reverse Order: In Japanese, the order of an address is often reversed compared to English. It usually starts with the prefecture or city, followed by the ward, the district, and finally the street address.
- Postcode: When asking for or providing an address, it is common to include the postcode as well. In Japanese, a postcode is referred to as 郵便番号 (ゆうびんばんごう “yuubin bangou”).
- Pronunciation: Take note of the pitched accents while pronouncing certain words. For example, 住所 (じゅうしょ) has a pitch drop on じゅう and a pitch rise on しょ.
Let’s look at an example of how a Japanese address is structured:
〒107-0052
東京都港区赤坂9-7-1
（とうきょうと みなとく あかさか 9-7-1）
Minato-ku, Akasaka 9-7-1, Tokyo 107-0052
In this example, you can see that the postcode (〒107-0052) is mentioned first, followed by the address starting with the prefecture (東京都), then the ward (港区), and finally the street address (赤坂9-7-1).
Remember, when writing an address in Japanese, it is common to use kanji characters for the prefecture, ward, and street names, but they can also be written in hiragana or katakana depending on the preference.
Regional Variations
While the phrases and rules we’ve covered so far are standard throughout Japan, it’s worth mentioning that there might be slight regional variations in the way addresses are expressed in specific areas. These variations are usually due to local dialects or historical differences.
However, for most general purposes, using the formal and informal ways mentioned above will serve you well regardless of the region you are in.
Conclusion
Knowing how to say “address” in Japanese can be essential when communicating or navigating through Japan. Remember to use 住所 (juusho) for formal situations, アドレス (adoresu) for casual settings or internet-related addresses, and pay attention to the order and structure of Japanese addresses. By familiarizing yourself with these expressions and key points, you will be better equipped to communicate effectively and locate specific locations in Japan.
Enjoy your exploration, and may your journey in learning the Japanese language be filled with excitement and success!
