How to say "flat" in Japanese
Choosing the right word
- 平らたいらna-adjectiveCovers 'flat' in the physical sense: a surface that is level, even and smooth, with no bumps or slopes. You would use it of ground, roads and similar surfaces.
- 平たいひらたいi-adjectivePhysical flatness again, but typically of an object's overall shape — flat and thin, like a flattened stone or box — where 平ら stresses the evenness of a surface such as ground.
- nounThe housing sense of 'flat': a condominium or apartment building, usually mid- or high-rise — the block of flats itself. For the individual dwelling you live in, the word is 部屋.
- 部屋へやnounThe 'flat' of 'my flat': the dwelling itself, not the building. Literally 'room', it is how you speak of the apartment where you live — 'come over to my flat'.私の部屋は４階にあります。↗My apartment is on the fourth floor.
- 閑散かんさんna-adjective, nounThe 'flat' of flat business: trade or activity that is slack and inactive, as in an off-season lull. Nothing to do with surfaces or housing — this is purely the commercial sense.
For physical flatness choose 「平ら」 for a level, even surface or 「平たい」 for a flat, thin object; for housing, 「マンション」 is the condominium building and 部屋 the flat you live in; 閑散 covers flat, slack business.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese equivalents
- 平らたいらflat
- 平たいひらたいflat
- マンションcondominium (usu. mid or high-rise)
- フラットflat
- 扁平へんぺいflat
- 平べったいひらべったいflat
- 平坦へいたんeven
- 薄型うすがたthin (type)
- 惘惘もうもうflat
- 平面的へいめんてきflat
- 平ったいひらったいflat
- 変記号へんきごうflat (sign)
- のっぺりfeatureless (face)
- 坦々たんたんlevel
- 横によこにhorizontally
- 気の抜けたきのぬけたinsipid
- 低みひくみlow place
- ぴしゃりslapping
- 砂を噛むようすなをかむようtasteless
- 部屋へやapartment
- 閑散かんさんinactive (business, trade, etc.)
- 平板へいばんmonotonous
- 大味おおあじdull
- お部屋おへやapartment
- 変へんflat
See also
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