Word
小屋
Meaning in Englishhut, cabin, shed
Animated kanji stroke order
Word context
What it means
What does 小屋 mean? It denotes a small shelter or simple dwelling, typically a rural or utilitarian structure used for living, storage, or workshop space.
Main meanings
- primary meaning a small hut or shed; a simple shelter or outbuilding
- secondary usage for a cabin or cottage in rural contexts
- in compounds and architectural contexts, an outbuilding attached to or separate from a main house
How to use it
Used in casual and descriptive contexts to refer to small buildings or shelters; in formal writing it may appear in architectural or historical discussions; typical usage includes 山小屋 and 物置小屋 in compound nouns or descriptive phrases, with emphasis on the structure rather than the people.
Variants and close terms
- 山小屋 (yamagoya) mountain hut
- 山荘 (sansou) mountain lodge
- 物置 (mono-oki) storage shed
Composition
- 小 = small
- 屋 = house, shop, roof
- the combination denotes a small dwelling or shelter
Word class
Noun (名詞)