A1 noun Neutral #3,605 most common

mura /muɾa/

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
1

私は小さい村で生まれました。

I was born in a small village.

2

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.

3

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

Noun
Adjective
村外れの
Related
村人
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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:

Examples

1

私は小さい村で生まれました。

everyday

I was born in a small village.

2

この村の人口は年々減少しています。

formal

The population of this village is decreasing year by year.

3

あの村、空気がきれいで最高だよ。

informal

That village is great because the air is so clean.

4

本論文では日本の伝統的な村落社会について考察する。

academic

This paper examines traditional Japanese village societies.

5

わが社はこの村の特産品をブランド化する計画です。

business

Our company plans to brand the local specialties of this village.

Word Family

Noun
Adjective
村外れの
Related
村人

Common Collocations

小さな村 a small village
村の祭り a village festival
山の村 a mountain village
村役場 village office
村を離れる to leave the village

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

vs

Machi (town) is larger and more urbanized than mura (village).

vs

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

Counter: 村 (son) can be used when counting administrative villages. Used as a suffix: Often read as 'son' in official names like 'Shinshū-mura' (but usually 'mura' in common speech).
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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:

Related Words

協力

A1

Cooperation or collaboration where two or more people combine their efforts to achieve a common goal. It is used in both personal and professional settings to describe working together as a team or providing assistance.

提案

A1

A suggestion or proposal of a plan or idea for others to consider. It is used in both casual conversations and professional meetings to introduce a potential course of action.

輸出

A1

The act of sending goods or services produced in one country to another country for sale or trade. In Japanese, it functions as a noun and a suru-verb, representing the 'exit' of products from a domestic market.

輸入

A1

The act of bringing goods, services, or materials into a country from abroad for sale or use. In Japanese, it functions as a noun or can be combined with 'suru' to become a verb meaning 'to import'.

資源

A1

Shigen refers to valuable materials or assets, such as natural minerals, energy sources, or human talent, that can be used for production or survival. It is widely used in economics, environmental science, and daily life to describe both raw materials and abstract wealth.

観察

A1

Observation is the act of watching someone or something carefully in order to gain information or understand a process. It is frequently used in scientific studies, nature analysis, and describing the act of paying close attention to details.

競争

A1

Kyousou refers to the act of competing or vying with others to achieve a goal, win a prize, or establish superiority. It is a versatile term used in sports, business, and academics to describe both structured contests and general rivalry.

製造

A1

The process of making or producing goods, typically on a large scale using machinery. It refers specifically to industrial manufacturing rather than making things by hand on a small scale.

購入

A1

The act of buying or purchasing something, often used in more formal, transactional, or official contexts. It specifically refers to the exchange of money for goods or services and is frequently seen in business, online shopping, and written documents.

交渉

A1

Koushou refers to the process of talking with someone to reach an agreement or settle a deal. It is used when two sides have different goals and try to find a middle ground or a solution that works for both.

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