Translation guide
The English word 'farm' refers to a place for agriculture or raising animals, and can also be a verb. This guide covers how to express these concepts naturally in Japanese.
Referring to a farm as a location where crops are grown or animals are raised.
The most common and general word for 'farm'. It can refer to both crop and livestock farms.
彼は広い農場を持っています。
He has a large farm.
この農場では野菜を育てています。
They grow vegetables on this farm.
Specifically a livestock farm or ranch, for raising animals like cows or horses.
牧場で牛が草を食べている。
Cows are eating grass on the farm.
Often used for a plantation or a farm focused on specific crops like fruit or tea. Can sound slightly more like a 'garden farm' or 'orchard'.
りんご農園でりんご狩りをしました。
We went apple picking at the apple farm.
Loanword from English, used in names of businesses or trendy contexts, but not the standard word for a farm.
観光ファームに行ってきました。
I went to a tourist farm.
The action of working on a farm, growing crops, or raising livestock.
The most natural way to say 'to farm' as an occupation or activity. Literally 'to do agriculture'.
彼は北海道で農業をしています。
He farms in Hokkaido.
Means 'to till' or 'to cultivate' the soil. More specific than general farming.
農家は春に畑を耕します。
Farmers plow the fields in spring.
Means 'to grow' or 'to cultivate' plants. Used for crops, not animals.
この地域では米を栽培しています。
They farm rice in this region.
Means 'to raise' or 'to breed' animals. Used for livestock farming.
彼は牛を飼育しています。
He farms cattle.
Using 'farm' to describe something related to farming.
Use 農家 (farmer/farm household) + の to mean 'farm's' or 'farm-related'. Common for 'farm work', 'farm life', etc.
農家の仕事は大変です。
Farm work is tough.
農家の生活に憧れています。
I long for farm life.
More formal, 'agricultural'. Used in terms like 'agricultural machinery' or 'agricultural policy'.
農業機械を買いました。
I bought farm machinery.
There is no single Japanese verb that directly corresponds to 'to farm'. Use phrases like 農業をする or more specific verbs like 栽培する (grow plants) or 飼育する (raise animals).
農場 is the general term for any farm. 牧場 specifically means a livestock farm or ranch. 農園 often implies a plantation or orchard, like a fruit farm or tea plantation.