ホームレス
hōmuresu
The English word 'homeless' is translated into Japanese as ホームレス (hōmuresu). Wiktionary also lists 家なき (ie naki) and 無宿の (mushuku no).
Meaning: lacking a permanent residence (adj)
Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) |
|---|---|
| ホームレス | hōmuresu |
| 家なき | ie naki |
| 無宿の | mushuku no |
The word is used to describe someone lacking a permanent residence.
What does it mean word for word?
The literary form 家なき literally means 'without a house'.
Which one should you use?
ホームレス is a modern loanword. In contrast, 無宿の is an archaic term used to describe people without a fixed residence or master, often used in historical contexts. The form 家なき is a literary way to say 'homeless'.
How does it change in a sentence?
Because ホームレス is a noun in Japanese, you often add 人 after it to specify 'a homeless person' (ホームレスの人).
How do you pronounce it?
hōmuresu
Did you know?
- In the Edo period, the term 無宿 (むやど) referred to a person who lacked a registered 'master' or social identity, which was a much more serious legal status than simply lacking a physical house.
- In Japanese, the word ホームレス can be used as a noun on its own, but adding の人 (no hito) softens the term and makes it sound more empathetic or polite.
- While 家なき (ienaki) is a direct translation of 'homeless', its use in literature often evokes a sense of poetic wandering or existential loneliness rather than a purely sociological description.
Examples in context
- 昔はホームレスだったんだ。I used to be homeless.The first sentence is useful for talking about one's past state using ホームレス.Tatoeba #12146634 by small_snow, translation #9973171 by shekitten
- トムって、ホームレスなんだ。Tom's homeless.The second sentence is useful for describing someone else's current state using ホームレス.Tatoeba #10089438 by small_snow, translation #2107538 by CK
- ホームレスみたいな格好だな。You look like you're homeless.The third sentence is useful for describing someone's appearance using ホームレス.Tatoeba #11359406 by bunbuku, translation #6350946 by CK
- この街では、ホームレスの人々に対する支援が必要です。Support for homeless people is necessary in this city.
- 昨日、ホームレスの人たちに食べ物を提供しました。Yesterday, I provided food for homeless people.
- 11 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
A man and a woman are discussing a news report.
- 陽太 Yotaホームレスの人たちを支援するニュースを見たよ。Hōmuresu no hitotachi o shien suru nyūsu o mita yo.I saw a news report about supporting homeless people.
- 陽葵 Himariそれはとても大切な取り組みだね。Sore wa totemo taisetsu na torikumi da ne.That is a very important initiative.
- 陽太 Yota陽葵もそう思うでしょ？Himari mo sō omou desho?You think so too, Himari, right?
- 陽葵 Himariうん、社会全体で考えるべき問題だと思う。Un, shakai zentai de kangaeru beki mondai da to omou.Yes, I think it is an issue the whole society should consider.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “homeless” translations and entries ホームレス, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
