Translation guide
The outskirts refer to the outer parts of a city or town, away from the center. In Japanese, this concept is expressed with specific nouns and location phrases.
Referring to the less central, often residential or industrial areas of a city or town.
The most common and neutral word for 'suburbs' or 'outskirts'. It implies a residential area outside the city center.
Referring to the outer edge of a defined area, not necessarily a city (e.g., a village, forest, or campus).
A suffix meaning 'outskirts' or 'edge' of a place. Attach to a location noun: 村はずれ (outskirts of a village), 森のはずれ (edge of the forest).
郊外 (こうがい) is the standard word for 'suburbs' and implies a residential area with a certain distance from the city center. 町外れ (まちはずれ) emphasizes the physical edge of a town and can feel more remote or quiet. Use 郊外 for general suburban areas, and 町外れ when you want to stress the fringe location.
郊外 is typically used for cities. For a village or small town, use はずれ (e.g., 村はずれ) or 外れ.
He lives in the outskirts of Tokyo.
Literally 'town's edge', this word emphasizes the boundary or fringe of a town, often with a slightly rural or quiet nuance.
その店は町外れにある。
The shop is on the outskirts of town.
Means 'outside the city' or 'suburban area'. Often used in administrative or formal contexts, like '市外局番' (area code for outside the city).
市外に引っ越す予定です。
I plan to move to the outskirts.
A more formal or descriptive phrase meaning 'peripheral parts of the city'. Used in written or technical contexts.
都市の周辺部には農地が広がっている。
Farmland spreads across the outskirts of the city.
村はずれに古い神社がある。
There is an old shrine on the outskirts of the village.
Means 'periphery' or 'surrounding area'. Can be used for outskirts when combined with a location, but is broader in meaning.
空港の周辺にはホテルが少ない。
There are few hotels on the outskirts of the airport.
Same as はずれ above, but often written in kana. Used in casual contexts.
町の外れに住んでるんだ。
I live on the outskirts of town.