Translation guide
In Japanese, expressing 'rental' depends on what is being rented and for how long. Common words include レンタル for general short-term rentals (cars, DVDs, equipment), 賃貸 for long-term housing or property leases, and 貸し出し for lending/rental services like libraries or rental shops. The verb 借りる means 'to borrow/rent' from the user's perspective.
Referring to the act or service of renting items for a limited period, often from a rental shop or service.
Loanword from English, widely used for short-term rentals of cars, DVDs, costumes, equipment, etc. Often used as a noun or in compound words like レンタカー (rental car).
DVDをレンタルする。
I rent a DVD.
レンタカーを借りた。
I rented a car.
Refers to the lending/rental service itself, often used by libraries, rental shops, or services. Can be used as a noun or suru-verb.
図書館の本の貸し出し
library book rental
ビデオの貸し出しを行っています。
We offer video rentals.
Explicitly refers to a rental service, often used in business contexts.
この店はレンタルサービスを提供している。
This store provides a rental service.
Referring to renting a place to live, such as an apartment, house, or room, typically under a lease agreement.
The standard term for long-term rental of real estate. Often used in compounds like 賃貸マンション (rental apartment) or 賃貸契約 (lease contract).
賃貸アパートを探しています。
I'm looking for a rental apartment.
このマンションは賃貸です。
This apartment is for rent.
Specifically a rented house (as opposed to an apartment). Often used in legal or formal contexts.
A rented room, often within a larger house. Somewhat dated; ルームシェア or シェアハウス are more common for shared living.
貸間を探す。
Look for a room for rent.
Expressing the action of renting something, focusing on the person who receives the item.
The most common verb meaning 'to borrow' or 'to rent'. Used for both short-term and long-term rentals. Transitive verb.
Using レンタル as a suru-verb. Common for short-term rentals, especially when emphasizing the rental service aspect.
DVDをレンタルする。
I rent a DVD.
Referring to the price paid for renting something.
Rental fee for short-term items like cars, equipment, etc.
レンタル料は1日5000円です。
The rental fee is 5000 yen per day.
Rent for housing or property. More formal than 家賃.
賃料は月10万円です。
The rent is 100,000 yen per month.
Common word for house/apartment rent. Used in everyday conversation.
家賃が高い。
The rent is high.
Rental fee for lending services, e.g., library or rental shop fees.
貸し出し料金は無料です。
The rental fee is free.
Referring to a store or business that rents out items.
General term for a rental shop, e.g., DVD rental store.
近くのレンタルショップで借りた。
I rented it at a nearby rental shop.
A store that offers rental services, though less common than レンタルショップ.
あの貸し出し店は品揃えがいい。
That rental shop has a good selection.
レンタル is used for short-term, movable items (cars, DVDs, equipment). 賃貸 is used for long-term real estate rentals (apartments, houses, land). Using レンタル for an apartment sounds odd, as if you're renting it for a day.
車をレンタルする。
Rent a car.
アパートを賃貸する。
Rent out an apartment (from owner's perspective).
While レンタル is understood, it's unnatural for long-term housing. Use 賃貸 or 借りる instead.
I live in a rented house.