屋
JLPT N4
House, shop
Readings
On’yomi: オク (oku)
Kun’yomi: や (ya)
shop/house
Structure
Composition:
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Detailed Explanation
Vocabulary
屋根
やね
roof
本屋
ほんや
bookstore
花屋
はなや
florist
屋内
おくない
indoors
部屋
へや
room
Example Sentences
屋根があります。
やね が あります。
There is a roof.
本屋へ行きます。
ほんや へ いきます。
I go to a bookstore.
花屋で買います。
はなや で かいます。
I buy at a flower shop.
屋内で遊びます。
おくない で あそびます。
I play indoors.
部屋を掃除します。
へや を そうじ します。
I clean the room.
Cultural Note
🏮 In Japanese society, 屋 (や) is a fascinating suffix that shows a person’s profession or trade — much like “-er” in English (baker, shoemaker).
Examples:
• 魚屋 (さかなや) → fish seller
• 花屋 (はなや) → florist
• 酒屋 (さかや) → liquor store
• 肉屋 (にくや) → butcher
Similarly, 屋 is used for building or house types, such as:
• 風呂屋 (ふろや) → public bathhouse
• 寿司屋 (すしや) → sushi restaurant
This reflects Japan’s traditional merchant culture (商人文化) where homes and shops were the same place. The shop name and family name often overlapped — a deep connection between identity and one’s dwelling or trade.
Examples:
• 魚屋 (さかなや) → fish seller
• 花屋 (はなや) → florist
• 酒屋 (さかや) → liquor store
• 肉屋 (にくや) → butcher
Similarly, 屋 is used for building or house types, such as:
• 風呂屋 (ふろや) → public bathhouse
• 寿司屋 (すしや) → sushi restaurant
This reflects Japan’s traditional merchant culture (商人文化) where homes and shops were the same place. The shop name and family name often overlapped — a deep connection between identity and one’s dwelling or trade.