Japanese word

界隈

Pronunciation

Romajikaiwai

Meaning

  • nounneighborhood

Example

この界隈は静かです。ko no kai wai wa shizu ka de su

This neighborhood is quiet.

Illustration for 界隈 (neighborhood)

More examples

その話は映画好きの界隈で話題になっています。so no hanashi wa ei ga su ki no kai wai de wa dai ni na tte i ma su

That topic is popular among movie fans.

Core concept

Covers a nearby area or the community that gathers around a common place, field, or interest.

Common phrases

  • 界隈で話題kai wai de wa dai

    popular in the circle

  • 映画好きの界隈ei ga su ki no kai wai

    the circle of movie fans

Similar words

コミュニティkomyuniti: A group of people connected by a place, activity, or shared interest.
近所kinjo: An area close to a particular home or place, often used for the local residential area.
近辺kinpen: The area in or around a particular place.
周辺shūhen: The surrounding area near a particular place or point.

Definition in Japanese

ある場所の近く一帯。また、特定の分野や関心を共有する人々のまとまり。a ru ba sho no chika ku it tai ma ta toku tei no bun ya ya kan shin o kyō yū su ru hito bito no ma to ma ri

Word origin

界隈 (kaiwai) consists of 界 (kai, "boundary or realm") and 隈 (wai, "corner or area"). The combination developed the sense of a nearby area or a related social circle.

Usage tips

  • The word appears in expressions such as ゲーム界隈 (gēmu kaiwai), where it means the community connected with gaming rather than a physical neighborhood.

Other meanings

  • circlenoun

Word lists with this word