Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 場所 | basho | [ba̠ɕo̞] (narrow) |
| 位置 | ichi | [it͡ɕi] (narrow) |
| 所 | tokoro | [to̞ko̞ɾo̞] (narrow) [to̞ko̞] (narrow) |
| 空間 | kūkan | [kɯ̟ːkã̠ɴ] (narrow) |
| 余地 | yochi | [jo̞t͡ɕi] (narrow) |
In Japanese, several words exist for 'place', ranging from physical locations and precise coordinates to abstract volumes and figurative room or scope.
Which one should you use?
場所 (basho) is the most common, general-purpose word for a physical location or place. 位置 (ichi) refers specifically to a precise coordinate, position or mathematical location. 所 (tokoro) is often used as a suffix to denote a place with a specific function, such as a smoking area or a famous spot. 空間 (kūkan) refers to a three-dimensional space or the concept of spatial volume rather than a specific point on a map. 余地 (yochi) is used figuratively to mean 'room' or 'scope' for something like improvement or doubt, rather than physical space.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
When used as a noun meaning 'place', 所 is often preceded by a verb in its dictionary form to create a relative clause, such as 食べる所 (eating place).
How do you pronounce it?
basho
Did you know?
Examples in context
- 素敵な場所だよね？This is a nice place, don't you think?This sentence is useful for describing a nice location using 場所.Tatoeba #10032279 by small_snow, translation #5290507 by CK
- 喫煙所はありますか？Is there a place I can smoke?This sentence is useful for asking about a specific functional area using 所.Tatoeba #182803 by bunbuku, translation #19922 by CK
- 吉野は桜の名所です。Yoshino is a place famous for its cherry blossoms.This sentence is useful for describing a famous spot using 所.Tatoeba #182850 by small_snow, translation #19971 by CN
- あの所で待ち合わせしましょう。Let's meet up at that place.
- 183 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Misaki and Kenta are looking for a place to eat lunch.
- 美咲 Misakiいい場所が見つからないね。Ii basho ga mitsukaranai ne.We can't find a good place, can we?
- 健太 Kentaあそこの場所はどうかな？Asoko no basho wa dou kana?How about that place over there?
- 美咲 Misakiあそこは人が多すぎるよ。Asoko wa hito ga oosugiru yo.There are too many people there.
- 健太 Kentaじゃあ、別の場所を探そう。Jaa, betsu no basho o sagasou.Then, let's look for another place.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “place” translations and entries 場所, 位置, 所, 空間, 余地, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 所, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
