(こうがい)

こうがい
noun
suburbs, outskirts
1. suburbs, outskirts
The residential areas on the outer edges of a city or town.
郊外(こうがい)()みたい。
I want to live in the suburbs.
郊外(こうがい)(しず)かで()みやすい。
The suburbs are quiet and easy to live in.
郊外(こうがい)(おお)きなショッピングモールがある。
There's a large shopping mall in the suburbs.
郊外(こうがい)通勤(つうきん)時間(じかん)がかかるが、家賃(やちん)(やす)い。
Commuting takes time from the suburbs, but the rent is cheap.
子供(こども)()まれてから、(ひろ)(いえ)()みたくて郊外(こうがい)()()した。
After our child was born, we wanted to live in a bigger house, so we moved to the suburbs.

郊外(こうがい) refers to the residential areas outside the city center.

COMMON EXPRESSIONS:

  • 郊外(こうがい)()む: to live in the suburbs
  • 郊外(こうがい)()()す: to move to the suburbs
  • 郊外(こうがい)(いえ): suburban house
  • 郊外(こうがい)(がた): suburban-type

CHARACTERISTICS:

Suburbs in Japan typically offer:

  • More space and quieter environment
  • Lower rent/housing costs
  • Longer commute times
  • Need for car ownership

CONTRAST:

  • 郊外(こうがい): suburbs, outskirts
  • 都心(としん): city center
  • 市内(しない): within the city
  • 田舎(いなか): countryside (more rural)