物置

ものおき

storage room

JLPT N2

Character Breakdown

Meaning and Usage

"物置" (ものおき) refers to a storage room or shed where items, especially those not frequently used, are kept. It is commonly found in houses or gardens as a separate small building or a designated room.

Common Contexts

People use "物置" to talk about places where they store old furniture, tools, seasonal items, or other belongings that are not needed daily. It often implies a somewhat cluttered or less frequently accessed space.

Collocations and Patterns

  • 物置を整理する: to organize the storage room
  • 物置に置く: to put something in the storage room
  • 物置を建てる: to build a storage shed

These phrases are useful when discussing household chores or home improvement.

Register and Nuance

"物置" is a neutral term used in everyday conversation and writing. It is neither formal nor casual but fits well in daily life contexts.

Common Learner Mistake

Learners sometimes confuse "物置" with "倉庫" (そうこ), which also means warehouse or storage. "倉庫" usually refers to larger commercial storage spaces, while "物置" is more domestic and smaller scale.

Example Sentences

にわのすみにちいさなものおきをたてました。

We built a small storage shed in the corner of the garden.

ものおきにふるいかぐがたくさんおいてあります。

There are many old pieces of furniture stored in the storage room.

ものおきをせいりして、つかわないものをしょぶんしましょう。

Let's organize the storage room and get rid of things we don't use.