1.
countryside, rural area
Areas outside of cities, with fewer people and more nature.
田舎道を歩く。
To walk along a country road.
田舎の生活は静かでいい。
Country life is nice and quiet.
祖父は田舎に住んでいて、広い畑で野菜を作っている。
My grandfather lives in the countryside and grows vegetables in a large field.
2.
hometown, home village
One's place of origin, especially if rural.
夏休みに田舎に帰る。
I go back to my hometown for summer vacation.
お正月は家族みんなで田舎に帰ることにしている。
We make it a point to go back to our hometown as a family for New Year's.
田舎から届いた野菜は新鮮でとてもおいしかった。
The vegetables sent from my hometown were fresh and very delicious.
3.
provincial, unsophisticated (slightly negative)
Can imply lack of urban sophistication.
あの人は少し田舎っぽい。
That person is a bit provincial.
田舎っぽい = rustic, unsophisticated
東京に来たばかりの頃は、田舎者だと言われた。
When I first came to Tokyo, I was called a country bumpkin.
田舎者 = country person (can be derogatory)
都会の生活に慣れるまで、自分の田舎くさいところが恥ずかしかった。
Until I got used to city life, I was embarrassed by my own rustic mannerisms.
田舎くさい = unsophisticated, hick-like
田舎 means 'countryside' or 'rural area.'
Nuances:
- Can be neutral (rural area) or slightly negative (backward/unsophisticated)
- When referring to one's own hometown, it's neutral or affectionate
- Using it about someone else's hometown could be rude
Common expressions:
- 田舎に帰る: to return to one's hometown
- 田舎暮らし: country living
- 田舎者: country person (can be derogatory)
Antonym: 都会 (city, urban area)
Note: The kanji 田舎 (rice field + house) reflects the agricultural nature of rural Japan.
Related Words
Antonym:
都会 (city, urban area)