城
shiro[ɕiɾo̞]
The English word "castles" is translated into Japanese as 城 (shiro).
The term refers to large fortified buildings that were historically used as residences for royalty or nobility.
Which one should you use?
While 城 is the standard term, you may encounter 城郭 (jōkaku), which specifically refers to a castle or fortress in the context of its defensive structure.
How does it change in a sentence?
城 is a noun and does not change its form to indicate plurality. The context or a specific counter determines whether you are referring to one castle or many.
How do you pronounce it?
shiro
Did you know?
- In the Ryukyu Islands, the term gushiku is used for castles, but the word may have originally meant a 'holy place' rather than a military fortification.
- The Japanese word for castle, shiro, is thought to have descended from an ancient Korean word for a 'walled settlement'.
- The character 城 can be read as jō, which is a pronunciation borrowed from Middle Chinese.
Examples in context
- ドイツには２万くらい城があります。There are around 20,000 castles in Germany.This sentence uses 城 to state the approximate number of castles in Germany.Tatoeba #10614434 by small_snow, translation #10313728 by Ricardo14
- ここは、砂の城を作るのにちょうどいい。This is a good place to build sand castles.This sentence uses 城 in the phrase 砂の城 to talk about building sand castles.Tatoeba #12001964 by small_snow, translation #12268052 by CK
- カスティーリャには、お城が沢山あります。There are a lot of castles in Castile.This sentence uses 城 (in its polite form お城) to mention the many castles in Castile.Tatoeba #11669209 by small_snow, translation #8960783 by sundown
- 日本にはたくさんの美しい城があります。Japan has many beautiful castles.
- 彼らは週末にお城へ旅行する予定です。They are planning a trip to the castle over the weekend.
- この地域には数多くの城跡があります。There are many castle ruins in this area.
- 2 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Kenta and Himari are looking at a history book in a cafe.
- 健太 Kentaこの本には、古い城がたくさん載っていますね。Kono hon ni wa, furui shiro ga takusan notte imasu ne.There are many old castles in this book, aren't there?
- 陽葵 Himari本当ですね。城の写真はどれも美しいです。Hontou desu ne. Shiro no shashin wa dore mo utsukushii desu.You're right. The photos of the castles are all beautiful.
- 健太 Kentaいつか本物の城に行ってみたいです。Itsuka honmono no shiro ni itte mitai desu.I want to visit a real castle someday.
- 陽葵 Himariいいですね。一緒に旅行しましょう。Ii desu ne. Issho ni ryokou shimashou.That sounds lovely. Let's go on a trip together.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 城, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 城, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
