間取り

• Reading: まどり
• Romaji: madori
• Kanji breakdown: 間 (ma) — space, room, interval; 取 (dori) — take, arrange
• Pronunciation: /ma.do.ɾi/

Meaning

Layout; floor plan. The arrangement of rooms in a house or apartment.

A noun essential for anyone searching for housing in Japan. Japanese real estate uses a specific notation system: 1K (one room + kitchen), 2LDK (two rooms + living-dining-kitchen), etc. When browsing listings, 間取り図 (madori zu, floor plan diagram) is one of the first things checked. Understanding 間取り is crucial for apartment hunting and discussing living spaces.

Examples

1. この物件の間取りは2LDKです。 This property has a 2LDK layout.
2. 間取り図を見て、家具の配置を考えた。 I looked at the floor plan and thought about how to arrange the furniture.
3. 家族が増えたので広い間取りの家を探している。 Since our family has grown, we're looking for a place with a bigger layout.

Usage Guide

Context: real estate, housing, interior design

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

From Japanese: 間 (ma, space/room) + 取り (dori, from 取る, to take/arrange). Literally 'space arrangement' — how rooms are laid out within a dwelling.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal