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How to say 'Downtown' in Japanese | 下町

Wondering how to say 'Downtown' in Japanese? You're in the right place!

The Japanese word for Downtown is 'Shitamachi', written as 下町 in Japanese.'Downtown' in hiragana is したまち.

    word

    下町

    Meaning

    Downtown

    Reading

    したまち

    shitamachi

    Kanji

    下Down 町Town

    Explanation

    The Japanese noun '下町 (したまち)' refers to the traditional downtown or lower-lying areas of a city, often associated with older neighborhoods, working-class communities, and a sense of local culture and history. These areas are typically contrasted with more modern or upscale districts. For example: I live in the downtown area「私は下町に住んでいます」(わたしはしたまちにすんでいます). The downtown has a nostalgic atmosphere「下町は懐かしい雰囲気があります」(したまちはなつかしいふんいきがあります). The term often evokes images of narrow streets, small shops, and a close-knit community.

    Part Of Speech

    noun

    Kanji JLPT

    N4

    Kanji Grade

    1

    Frequency

    2712

    Composition

    kanji

    Handwriting

Kanji in the Word 下町

This word contains 2 kanji characters:

  • kanji

    下

    Meaning

    Down

  • kanji

    町

    Meaning

    Town

Words Related to 下町 Through the Kanji 下

These 42 Words contain the Kanji 下 as well.

  • word

    下さる

    Meaning

    Give

  • word

    下

    Meaning

    Under

  • word

    下り

    Meaning

    Descent

  • word

    年下

    Meaning

    Younger

  • word

    下手

    Meaning

    Unskilled

  • word

    以下

    Meaning

    Below, Less

  • word

    地下鉄

    Meaning

    Subway

  • word

    下げる

    Meaning

    Lower

  • word

    地下

    Meaning

    Underground, Basement

  • word

    下ろす

    Meaning

    Lower, Unload

  • word

    靴下

    Meaning

    Socks

  • word

    下がる

    Meaning

    Descend, Decrease

  • word

    下水

    Meaning

    Sewage

  • word

    上下

    Meaning

    Updown

  • word

    下書き

    Meaning

    Draft

  • word

    下車

    Meaning

    Alighting

  • word

    部下

    Meaning

    Subordinate

  • word

    下品

    Meaning

    Vulgar

  • word

    廊下

    Meaning

    Hallway

  • word

    下る

    Meaning

    Descend, Decide

  • word

    天下

    Meaning

    World

  • word

    下宿

    Meaning

    Lodging

  • word

    下調べ

    Meaning

    Preparation

  • word

    下す

    Meaning

    Decide

  • word

    下流

    Meaning

    Downstream, Lower class

  • word

    下りる

    Meaning

    Descend

  • word

    下旬

    Meaning

    Last third

  • word

    下記

    Meaning

    Below

  • word

    下痢

    Meaning

    Diarrhea

  • word

    ぶら下がる

    Meaning

    Hang

  • word

    ぶら下げる

    Meaning

    Hang

  • word

    目下

    Meaning

    Subordinate

  • word

    低下

    Meaning

    Decline

  • word

    地下道

    Meaning

    Underground

  • word

    値下がり

    Meaning

    Decrease

  • word

    値下げ

    Meaning

    Price reduction

  • word

    見下ろす

    Meaning

    Look down

  • word

    陛下

    Meaning

    Majesty

  • word

    下着

    Meaning

    Underwear

  • word

    飛び下りる

    Meaning

    Jump down

  • word

    下駄

    Meaning

    Clogs

  • word

    零下

    Meaning

    Below zero

Words Related to 下町 Through the Kanji 町

These 4 Words contain the Kanji 町 as well.

  • word

    町

    Meaning

    Town

  • word

    町外れ

    Meaning

    Outskirts

  • word

    町中

    Meaning

    Town center

  • word

    町角

    Meaning

    Street corner

Learn the Word 下町

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What does 'Shitamachi' (下町) mean?

'Shitamachi' means 'Downtown' .

To help you master this word, here's an interactive lesson where you'll practice its readings and meanings.