住所

• Reading: じゅうしょ
• Romaji: juusho
• Kanji breakdown: 住 (jū/su) — dwell, live; 所 (sho/tokoro) — place
• Pronunciation: /dʑɯː.ɕo/

Meaning

An address; a place of residence. The location where someone lives, used on official forms and mail.

Essential for filling out forms, sending mail, and official documents. Japanese addresses follow a unique system going from large to small: prefecture, city, ward, block, building number. Common in phrases like 住所を書く (to write an address) and 住所変更 (change of address).

Examples

1. ここに住所と名前を書いてください。 Please write your address and name here.
2. 引っ越したので住所が変わりました。 I moved, so my address has changed.
3. 友達の住所がわからなくなってしまった。 I lost track of my friend's address.

Usage Guide

Context: official forms, mail, daily life

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

From Chinese 住所 (zhùsuǒ). Compound of 住 (juu, to live/dwell) and 所 (sho, place). Literally 'the place where one lives.'

Cultural Context

Era: Pre-modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal