ゴミ屋敷 (Gomi Yashiki) Meaning “Trash Hoarder’s House” in Japanese

Pronunciation

Definition

ゴミ屋敷 (ごみやしき, Gomi Yashiki) means a hoarder’s house which is filled with an inordinate amount of rubbish. In contrast to English, Japanese has the word for the hoarder’s house, but not for the person (like “trash hoarder”). In Japanese, a hoarder of rubbish is called “ゴミ屋敷の住人じゅうにん” (Gomi Yashiki No Junin),  meaning “a resident of Gomi Yashiki”.

Word Structure

ゴミ屋敷 (Gomi Yashiki) consists of the two words “ゴミ” (Gomi) and “屋敷やしき” (Yashiki). The former means “rubbish” or “trash”, and it is also written in hiragana “ごみ”. The latter word 屋敷 usually indicates a grand mansion, especially a traditional one. Therefore, ゴミ屋敷 literally means “a rubbish mansion” (not “a lavish mansion”). Here, 屋敷 emphasises the appearance of a hoarder’s house overflowing with an overwhelming amount of rubbish.

Example Sentences

Ex1
学校がっこうの近ちかくにゴミ屋敷があってマジで臭くさい！
There is a trash hoarder’s house near my school and it’s so stinky!

Ex2
ゴミ屋敷の住人はよくテレビ番組ばんぐみで取材しゅざいされる。
Residents of trash hoarder’s houses are often interviewed on a TV show.

Synonyms: None
Synonyms in English: a hoarder’s house overflowing with tons of rubbish
Related words and phrases: ゴミ (trash, rubbish), 屋敷 (a mansion)