ゴミ屋敷 (GomiYashiki): A Trash Hoarder’s House in Japanese

Pronunciation

Definition

ゴミ屋敷 (ごみやしき, GomiYashiki) indicates a hoarder’s house which is filled with an inordinate amount of rubbish. In contrast to English, Japanese has a word for a hoarder’s house, but doesn’t have one for the person. 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 can also be written in hiragana “ごみ”. The latter usually indicates a mansion, especially a traditional one. Here it is used to emphasize 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 Gomi yashiki (hoarder’s house) near my school and it’s sooo smelly!

Ex2
ゴミ屋敷の住人はよくテレビ番組で取り上げられる。
Residents of Gomi yashiki are often featured 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)