Synonym Nuance VS
How to say "Live" in Japanese
Both words can translate to "live", but which should you choose?
Japanese Option A
住みます
すみます (sumimasu)
N5 / CEFR Syllabus
VS
Japanese Option B
住む
すむ (sumu)
N5 / CEFR Syllabus
Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference
When translating "live" into Japanese, you must choose carefully between 住みます and 住む.
In Japanese, 住みます (すみます (sumimasu)) is typically associated with "to live (somewhere)" (Syllabus Level: N5) and represents Verb, polite form. Used to express living or residing in a place. The dictionary form is 住む.
On the other hand, 住む (すむ (sumu)) maps to "to live, to reside" (Syllabus Level: N5) and represents Intransitive verb. Used to describe where someone lives, usually with the particle 「に」. Often used in the form 住んでいます. A literal translation of "live" can often sound unnatural to native Japanese speakers if mixed up!
Bilingual Context for "住みます"
私は東京に住んでいます。
I live in Tokyo.
Bilingual Context for "住む"
私は東京に住んでいます。
I live in Tokyo.
Nuance Mastery Quiz
Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?
Fill in the blank: "私は東京に住んでいます。" (Meaning: "I live in Tokyo.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "住みます" fits here because it means "to live (somewhere)" in the context of: "I live in Tokyo.". "住む" represents "to live, to reside".