庭
niwa[ɲ̟iβ̞a̠]
The Japanese word for yard is 庭 (niwa).
庭 is a general term that can mean both a functional yard and a decorative garden.
Meaning: land around a house (noun)
Which one should you use?
While 庭 refers to a yard or garden, 中庭 is used specifically to describe a courtyard or an inner garden.
Is it said differently in some regions?
The form 庭 is noted as being regional.
How does it change in a sentence?
When you want to indicate that something is located within the yard, use the particle に after the word (庭に). If you are describing an action taking place within the yard, such as playing or working, use the particle で (庭で).
How do you pronounce it?
niwa
Did you know?
- The concept of a 'dry landscape' garden, or 枯山水 (karesansui), uses raked gravel and rocks to represent water and mountains without using any actual water.
- In traditional Japanese architecture, the concept of a 庭 often involves 'borrowed scenery', where the design incorporates distant mountains or trees to make a small space feel vast.
- In Japanese culture, the 'tea garden' or 露地 (roji) serves as a spiritual transition space, cleansing the mind of guests before they enter the tea house.
Examples in context
- 庭に犬はいないよ。There's no dog in the yard.This sentence is useful for stating that there is no dog in the 庭.Tatoeba #9703388 by small_snow, translation #9703374 by DJ_Saidez
- 彼は犬を庭に放した。He let the dog loose in the yard.This sentence is useful for describing an action where someone let a dog loose in the 庭.Tatoeba #107707 by bunbuku, translation #530146 by CK
- トムは庭に花を植えた。Tom planted some flowers in his yard.This sentence is useful for describing the action of planting flowers in the 庭.Tatoeba #2556231 by tommy_san, translation #1093140 by CK
- 私たちの家には庭があります。We have a yard in our house.
- この伝統的な家には美しい中庭があります。This traditional house has a beautiful courtyard.
- お庭には花がたくさん咲いていますね。There are many flowers blooming in your yard, right?
- 広い庭に子供たちが走り回っています。Children are running around in the large yard.
- 26 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Ren and Himari are talking about their new house.
- 蓮 Ren広い庭がある家がいいね。Hiroi niwa ga aru ie ga ii ne.A house with a large yard would be nice.
- 陽葵 Himariそうだね。庭でバーベキューをしたいな。Sō da ne. Niwa de bābekyū o shitai na.I agree. I want to have a barbecue in the yard.
- 蓮 Ren陽葵は庭に何を植えたい？Himari wa niwa ni nani o uetai?What do you want to plant in the yard, Himari?
- 陽葵 Himari私は色とりどりの花を植えたいな。Watashi wa irotodori no hana o uetai na.I want to plant colorful flowers.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “yard” translations and entries 庭, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
