Translation guide
How to talk about where someone or something comes from originally, including birthplace, hometown, country of origin, or source of a product.
ニューヨーク出身です。
I'm from New York.
To state where a person was born or grew up.
The most common and natural way to say 'place of origin' for a person. Used in self-introductions and when asking about someone's background. Often combined with a place name.
Refers to one's hometown or native place, often with a nostalgic or emotional nuance. More literary than 出身.
故郷に帰りたい。
I want to go back to my hometown.
Means 'local area' or 'hometown'. Often used when talking about one's own region or local specialties. Less formal than 出身.
地元の友達と会った。
I met up with friends from my hometown.
Literally 'birth'. Used to indicate birthplace, often in the pattern [place]生まれ. More casual than 出身.
彼は大阪生まれです。
He was born in Osaka.
To indicate the country or region something or someone originally comes from, especially in contexts like immigration, products, or cultural items.
Also used for country of origin. Can be used for people and sometimes for things (e.g., アメリカ出身の車).
彼は中国出身です。
He is from China.
Used for products, crops, or materials to indicate their place of origin. Common in commercial or agricultural contexts.
A suffix attached to a place name to mean 'produced in'. Very common for food and goods.
北海道産のじゃがいも
potatoes from Hokkaido
Means 'origin' or 'derivation'. Used for the historical or geographical origin of things, customs, or words.
To talk about the origin of ideas, problems, words, etc.
Refers to the origin or genesis of something, often historical or abstract. Used for languages, species, traditions.
この言葉の起源はラテン語です。
The origin of this word is Latin.
Often used for the origin of a product, company, or cultural phenomenon. Implies 'first appeared in'.
Means 'source' or 'origin', often used for information, quotations, or funds. More formal.
出身 (しゅっしん) is the standard, neutral term for one's place of origin, used in formal and informal settings. 故郷 (こきょう) carries a nostalgic, emotional tone, like 'hometown' in a sentimental sense. 地元 (じもと) is casual and refers to the local area where one lives or grew up, often used when talking about local pride or returning home.
While 出身 can sometimes be used for things (e.g., アメリカ出身の車), it is primarily for people. For products, use 原産 (げんさん) or the suffix 産 (さん). For abstract origins, use 起源 (きげん) or 由来 (ゆらい).
書類に出身地を記入してください。
Please state your place of origin on the form.
出身地 (しゅっしんち) is the formal term for 'place of origin' on documents.
この習慣の起源は不明です。
The origin of this custom is unknown.
このワインはフランス原産です。
This wine is from France.
This custom originates from China.
寿司の発祥地は日本です。
The birthplace of sushi is Japan.
Please clarify the source of the information.