村
A village or a small rural settlement that is typically smaller than a town. It often refers to a community where agriculture is the main industry and social relationships are closely knit.
Examples
3 of 5私は小さい村で生まれました。
I was born in a small village.
この村の人口は年々減少しています。
The population of this village is decreasing year by year.
あの村、空気がきれいで最高だよ。
That village is great because the air is so clean.
Word Family
Memory Tip
The kanji is composed of 'tree' (木) on the left and 'inch/small measurement' (寸) on the right. Think of a 'small' area surrounded by 'trees'.
Quick Quiz
私の祖父は、山の中の静かな___に住んでいます。
Correct!
The correct answer is: 村
Examples
私は小さい村で生まれました。
everydayI was born in a small village.
この村の人口は年々減少しています。
formalThe population of this village is decreasing year by year.
あの村、空気がきれいで最高だよ。
informalThat village is great because the air is so clean.
本論文では日本の伝統的な村落社会について考察する。
academicThis paper examines traditional Japanese village societies.
わが社はこの村の特産品をブランド化する計画です。
businessOur company plans to brand the local specialties of this village.
Word Family
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
村八分
social ostracism (historical term)
村おこし
village revitalization
村はずれ
outskirts of a village
Often Confused With
Machi (town) is larger and more urbanized than mura (village).
Hayashi (woods/grove) looks similar because of the tree radical but means a cluster of trees, not houses.
Usage Notes
In modern Japan, many former 'mura' have merged into larger cities, but the term is still used for the smallest administrative units and general rural areas.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes use 'mura' to describe any quiet residential area, but if there are shops and paved streets, 'machi' (town) is usually more appropriate.
Memory Tip
The kanji is composed of 'tree' (木) on the left and 'inch/small measurement' (寸) on the right. Think of a 'small' area surrounded by 'trees'.
Word Origin
Derived from the ancient Japanese word 'mure', meaning a cluster or group of people/houses.
Grammar Patterns
Cultural Context
The 'mura' was historically the core of Japanese social life, where rice farming required intensive cooperation among neighbors.
Quick Quiz
私の祖父は、山の中の静かな___に住んでいます。
Correct!
The correct answer is: 村
Related Vocabulary
Related Words
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資源
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