Japanese word

郷里

Pronunciation

Romajikyōri

Meaning

  • nounhometown

Example

私は郷里を離れて十年になります。watashi wa kyō ri o hana re te jū nen ni na ri ma su

It has been ten years since I left my hometown.

Illustration for 郷里 (hometown)

More examples

卒業後も、私は郷里の祭りを毎年楽しみにしています。sotsu gyō go mo watashi wa kyō ri no matsu ri o mai toshi tano shi mi ni shi te i ma su

Even after graduating, I look forward to the festival in my hometown every year.

Core concept

Refers to the place where a person was born and raised as a familiar home region.

Common phrases

  • 郷里を離れるkyō ri o hana re ru

    leave one's hometown

  • 郷里に帰るkyō ri ni kae ru

    return to one's hometown

  • 郷里の友人kyō ri no yū jin

    a friend from one's hometown

Similar words

故郷kokyō: The place connected with a person's birth or upbringing that is regarded as home.
出身地shusshinchi: The place where a person was born or raised and that represents their personal origin.
ふるさとfurusato: The place regarded as one's home, often with a strong sense of personal attachment.

Definition in Japanese

生まれ育った土地。u ma re soda tta to chi

Word origin

The Sino-Japanese noun combines 郷 (kyō, "native region") and 里 (ri, "village or home place").

Usage tips

  • 郷里 (kyōri) has a formal or literary tone, so it appears more often in writing than in casual conversation.

Other meanings

  • birthplacenoun

Word lists with this word