Japanese word

田舎

Pronunciation

Romajiinaka

Meaning

  • nouncountryside

Example

私は田舎に住んでいます。watashi wa inaka ni su n de i ma su

I live in the countryside.

Illustration for 田舎 (countryside)

More examples

私は田舎で育ちました。watashi wa inaka de soda chi ma shi ta

I grew up in the countryside.

Core concept

Describes a place with fewer urban features, where open land, farms, and small settlements are common.

Common phrases

  • 田舎に住むinaka ni su mu

    live in the countryside

  • 田舎で暮らすinaka de ku ra su

    live in the countryside

  • 田舎へ帰るinaka e kae ru

    return to the countryside

Similar words

地方chihō: A region outside major cities that includes rural communities and open land.
農村nōson: A rural community where farming is a central part of local life.

Definition in Japanese

都市部ではない、農地や自然の多い地域。to shi bu de wa na i nō chi ya shi zen no ō i chi iki

Word origin

The Japanese word いなか (inaka) is native rather than a loanword, and 田舎 (inaka) is its established kanji spelling; the deeper origin is uncertain.

Usage tips

  • When discussing where someone lives, 田舎 (inaka) can refer to a broad rural area rather than one specific village or farm.

Opposites

Related words

  • 田舎者inakamonocountry dwellernoun
  • 田舎っぽいinakappoirural-lookingi-adjective

Word lists with this word