Japanese word

リフォーム

Pronunciation

Romajirifōmu

Meaning

  • nounrenovation

Example

来月、台所をリフォームします。rai getsu dai dokoro o ri fō mu shi ma su

We will renovate the kitchen next month.

Illustration for リフォーム (renovation)

More examples

祖父母の家をリフォームする計画を立てています。so fu bo no ie o ri fō mu su ru kei kaku o ta te te i ma su

We are making plans to renovate our grandparents' house.

Core concept

Refers to changing an existing building or room while keeping it as the basis for a more useful or comfortable form.

Common phrases

  • 家のリフォームie no ri fō mu

    home renovation

  • リフォーム費用ri fō mu hi yō

    renovation cost

  • リフォーム工事ri fō mu kō ji

    renovation work

Similar words

改修kaishū: Work that repairs and improves an existing building or facility.
改装kaisō: Work that changes the appearance or layout of a building or room.
改築kaichiku: Work that rebuilds part or all of an existing building.
リノベーションrinobēshon: Work that gives an existing building a new function or value through major changes.

Definition in Japanese

建物や室内の一部を直したり変えたりして、機能や見た目を新しくすること。tate mono ya shitsu nai no ichi bu o nao shi ta ri ka e ta ri shi te ki nō ya mi ta me o atara shi ku su ru ko to

Word origin

The Japanese noun リフォーム (rifōmu) comes from the English word reform, which traces back to Latin reformare, "to shape again"; its building-related sense developed in Japanese.

Usage tips

  • English speakers often associate reform with changing a system, whereas the Japanese noun リフォーム (rifōmu) commonly describes work on a kitchen, bathroom, or other part of a home.

Other meanings

  • alterationnoun
  • repairnoun

Opposites

Related words

  • リフォームするrifōmusururenovateverb

Word lists with this word