棲む・栖む|すむsumu[1]atamadaka (head-high)
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Which spelling to use
棲む棲む is the most common written form and the recommended default for beginners. It is the form to choose when writing this word.
栖む栖む is a rarely used written variant of 棲む. You will seldom encounter it, so beginners should normally choose 棲む instead.
Definitions
- godan verb, intransitive verbto live (of animals); to inhabit; to nest
Conjugation
| Dictionary form | 棲む（すむ） |
|---|---|
| Polite (masu) | 棲みます（すみます） |
| Negative (nai) | 棲まない（すまない） |
| polite (masen) | 棲みません（すみません） |
| classical zu / nu | 棲まず・棲まぬ（すまず・すまぬ） |
| Past (ta) | 棲んだ（すんだ） |
| polite (mashita) | 棲みました（すみました） |
| Past negative (nakatta) | 棲まなかった（すまなかった） |
| polite (masen deshita) | 棲みませんでした（すみませんでした） |
| Te form | 棲んで（すんで） |
| Potential | 棲める（すめる） |
| Passive | 棲まれる（すまれる） |
| Causative | 棲ませる（すませる） |
| Causative passive | 棲ませられる・棲まされる（すませられる・すまされる） |
| Conditional (ba) | 棲めば（すめば） |
| tara | 棲んだら（すんだら） |
| Volitional | 棲もう（すもう） |
| polite (mashou) | 棲みましょう（すみましょう） |
| Imperative | 棲め（すめ） |
Common forms generated by rule; see the senses for honorific or irregular usage.
Synonyms & antonyms
- Synonym生息せいそくNeutralRefers to organisms inhabiting an area and living there, e.g. 「熊が生息する」; has a scientific, textbook flavour.
- Synonym住まうすまうWrittenWritten, elegant verb for living in a place, as in 「都に住まう」; not for everyday speech.
- Synonym住むすむNeutralThe everyday, most common spelling; fits people and animals alike. 「棲む」 is mostly for animals, but also yokai and things lodged in the heart.
- Related居住きょじゅうNeutralFormal term for living somewhere, as in 「居住地」; usually about people, but can also describe a pet's living environment.
- Related住するじゅうするWrittenWritten, old-fashioned word for residing; rarely used today. Say 「住む」 normally, or 「棲む」 for animals.
- Antonym去るさるNeutralAntonym: to leave or go away, the opposite of 「棲む」 dwelling in a place.
For living somewhere, write 「住む」; use 「棲む」 for animals, as in 「森に棲む鳥」, or things dwelling in the heart. 「生息する」 suits scientific talk, 「居住」 is formal, 「住まう」 and 「住する」 are written; 「去る」 is the antonym.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese definitions
Kanji in this word
English equivalents
