8.2 Location Words
This module will explore location words and how to use them to specify where objects, humans or animals are located.
Introduction to location words
Location words are essential for describing where things are in relation to each other. Below is a list of key location words used in Japanese:
| Japanese | Romaji | English |
|---|---|---|
| 上 （うえ) | ue | up / above / on top of |
| 中 （なか） | naka | in/inside |
| 下 （した） | shita | down / below / under |
| 右 （みぎ） | migi | right |
| 左 （ひだり） | hidari | left |
| 前 （まえ） | mae | front / in front of |
| 後（うし）ろ | ushiro | back/behind |
| *間（あいだ） | aida | between |
| 隣（となり） | tonari | next to |
NOTE: The location word 間 is commonly used in the pattern ‘A と B の 間’ (A to B no aida) to indicate ‘between A and B’.
Usage in sentences
1. Using the ‘X は Y の Location’ sentence pattern
To describe the location of something, use a location word in the pattern ‘X は Y の Location’. This structure indicates where X is located in relation to Y. For example:
携帯（けいたい）はかばんの中（なか）です。
Keitai wa kaban no naka desu.
The mobile phone is inside the bag.
カフェ（かふぇ）は大学（だいがく）の隣（となり）です。
Kafe wa daigaku no tonari desu.
The café is next to the university.
北海道（ほっかいどう）は東京（とうきょう）の上（うえ）です。
Hokkaidou wa Toukyou no ue desu.
Hokkaido is above Tokyo.
東京（とうきょう）は北海道（ほっかいどう）と京都（きょうと）の間（あいだ）です。
Toukyou wa Hokkaidou to Kyouto no aida desu.
Tokyo is between Hokkaido and Kyoto.
NOTE: The location word 間 is commonly used in the pattern ‘A と B の 間’ (A to B no aida) to indicate ‘between A and B’.
2. Using the ‘Y の Location に X があります／がいます’ sentence pattern
This pattern builds on the ‘Y の Location’ structure to indicate that there is an X (something or someone) located somewhere in relation to Y. In Module 8.4, we will explore the details of using があります (ga ari masu) and がいます (ga i masu) more in depth. For now, here’s a brief overview of how to use key location words in this pattern to describe places:
スーパーの後（うし）ろに神社（じんじゃ）があります。
Suupaa no ushiro ni jinja ga ari masu.
There is a shrine behind the supermarket.
お寺（てら）の前（まえ）に子（こ）どもがいます。
Otera no mae ni kodomo ga i masu.
There are children in front of the temple.
Exercise 1
