Meaning and Usage
"ビルディング" is a loanword from English "building" and is commonly used in Japanese to refer to large buildings, especially office buildings or commercial complexes. It is often used in urban contexts.
Common Contexts
You will frequently hear "ビルディング" when talking about city architecture, real estate, or directions. It usually implies a multi-story structure rather than a small house.
Collocations and Patterns
- ビルディングの中 (inside the building): used when referring to something located within a building.
- 新しいビルディング (new building): common phrase when talking about recently constructed buildings.
- ビルディングのオフィス (office in the building): used to specify offices located inside a building.
Register and Nuance
"ビルディング" is a neutral term, suitable for both formal and informal situations. It is more common in spoken and written Japanese than the native word "建物" (たてもの) when referring to large or commercial buildings.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes confuse "ビルディング" with "ビル". While "ビル" is a shortened form and very common, "ビルディング" is more formal and less frequently used in casual speech. Knowing both helps understand different registers.