別宅(べったく)

べったく
noun
separate residence; second home
building
1. separate residence; second home
A residence other than one's main home. Can refer to a secondary house maintained for work, family reasons, or personal circumstances. Sometimes carries the connotation of a dwelling kept for a mistress or secret relationship.
彼(かれ)は都内(とない)に別宅(べったく)を持(も)っている。
He has a separate residence in central Tokyo.
仕事(しごと)の関係(かんけい)で会社(かいしゃ)の近(ちか)くに別宅(べったく)を借(か)りた。
I rented a second home near the office for work reasons.
祖父(そふ)は晩年(ばんねん)、静(しず)かな田舎(いなか)の別宅(べったく)で過(す)ごすことが多(おお)かった。
In his later years, my grandfather often spent time at his separate residence in the quiet countryside.

A compound of 別(べつ) (separate, different) and 宅(たく) (residence). Unlike 別荘(べっそう) (vacation home), 別宅(べったく) implies a practical secondary residence rather than a leisure property.

Common collocations

Similar words

  • 別荘(べっそう) — vacation home, villa; used for leisure and relaxation, typically in resort areas
  • 自宅(じたく) — one's own home (primary residence)
  • 本宅(ほんたく) — main residence (as opposed to a secondary one)
  • セカンドハウス — second house (loanword, more neutral and modern)

Usage

In some contexts, 別宅(べったく) carries an implication that the separate residence is maintained for a secret romantic relationship, especially in older or literary usage. The phrase 別宅(べったく)を持(も)つ can be a euphemism for keeping a mistress. In modern usage, however, it often simply means a secondary residence for practical purposes like commuting.

Related Words

Compare: 別荘(べっそう) (vacation home, villa)
Compare: 自宅(じたく) (one's own home)
Compare: 本宅(ほんたく) (main residence)
general
Added 2026.4.27 23:23 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:02
25500/25808_bettaku