不動産屋
fudōsan'ya[ɸɯ̟do̞ːsã̠ɰ̃ja̠]
The English phrase real estate agent is translated into Japanese as 不動産屋 (fudōsan'ya).
What does it mean word for word?
The word 不動産屋 is composed of 不動産 (fudōsan), meaning 'real estate' and 屋 (ya), meaning 'shop' or 'person in a trade'.
Which one should you use?
不動産業者, 不動産売買仲介業者 and 不動産仲介業者 are all formal ways to say real estate agent. If you are referring specifically to the business entity, 不動産会社 is more appropriate. For the legal, licensed professional, the formal title is 宅地建物取引士.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
不動産屋 is a colloquial and informal way to refer to an agent or agency. In professional or legal contexts, you should use formal terms like 不動産業者, 不動産売買仲介業者 or 不動産仲介業者. When discussing the company as a professional entity, use 不動産会社.
How do you pronounce it?
fudōsan'ya
Did you know?
- In Japan, the role of a 不動産屋 is primarily as a 'broker' who connects buyers and sellers rather than an agent who represents one party's interests exclusively.
- The phrase 不動産屋 is frequently used in Japanese media and anime to represent the archetypal, sometimes pushy, local neighborhood broker.
- The word 不動産 (fudōsan) literally translates to 'immovable property', reflecting a historical view that land is something that can never be moved.
Examples in context
- 不動産業者を探しています。I am looking for a real estate agent.
- 不動産業者をおすすめしてもらえますか？Can you recommend a real estate agent?
- 不動産業者に助けを求めます。I will contact a real estate agent for assistance.
- 不動産屋に電話をしました。Fudōsan-ya ni denwa o shimashita.I called the real estate agent.
- その不動産屋はとても親切です。Sono fudōsan-ya wa totemo shinsetsu desu.That real estate agent is very kind.
Example conversation
陽葵 and 蓮 are discussing moving to a new apartment.
- 蓮 Renいい物件は見つかった？Ii bukken wa mitsukatta?Did you find any good properties?
- 陽葵 Himariまだ不動産屋を探しているところだよ。Mada fudōsan-ya o sagashite iru tokoro da yo.I'm still looking for a real estate agent.
- 蓮 Ren信頼できる不動産屋がいいよね。Shinrai dekiru fudōsan-ya ga ii yo ne.A reliable real estate agent is important, isn't it?
- 陽葵 Himariうん、慎重に選びたいんだ。Un, shinchō ni erabitai nda.Yeah, I want to choose carefully.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 不動産屋, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 不動産屋, CC BY-SA 4.0.
