Japanese with Manga
Learning through examples in manga

Shelter and shops with 屋

primarily means house, building, shop or profession, or roof.

Etymology

This kanji is traditionally explained as an ideogrammic compound comprised of 尸 (a sheltering structure, treated as an abbreviated form of 居, “dwelling”) and 至 (arrive, reach). These invoke imagery of reaching a place suitable for living and settling beneath its shelter.

Dwellings and Residences

屋敷 (Estate)

屋敷(やしき) refers to a residence and its grounds taken together, or to a grand building situated on a large tract of land.

It combines 屋 (dwelling) with 敷 (spread out) to show a residence spread across a substantial plot.

Manga panel from 名探偵コナン showing example of Shelter and shops with 屋.
名探偵コナン » Volume 10 » Page 35

Heiji shows up at Detective Mouri’s office looking for the missing Shin’ichi. While there, a case presents itself. Heijii tags along with Mouri to investigate.

毛利(もうり):
「ほーーーーー 立派(りっぱ)なお屋敷(やしき)ですなーーー…」
“Oh, what a splendid estate.”
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小屋 (Hut)

小屋(こや) refers to a small, simple structure or a small temporary dwelling. It is used to describe structures such as storage sheds, animal shelters, or temporary facilities for plays and performances.

It combines 小 (small) with 屋 (dwelling) to show a small shelter or hut.

Manga panel from 俺物語!! showing example of Shelter and shops with 屋.
俺物語!! » Volume 4 » Page 165

After Takeo (Gouda) has helped her out multiple times, Saijou considers confessing her feelings to him. She waits for him near the shoe lockers before class.

西城(さいじょう):
「あのっ 今日(きょう)剛田(ごうだ)(はなし)があるんだ」
“Um... I need to talk to you today.”
放課後(ほうかご)ニワトリ小屋(ごや)(まえ)()てくれるかな」
“Could you come to the chicken coop after school?”
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Roofs and Exterior Spaces

屋上 (Rooftop)

屋上(おくじょう) refers to the roof at the very top of a building, or a space created by flattening that area so that people can access it.

It combines 屋 (building) with 上 (top) to show the top of a building.

Manga panel from 一週間フレンズ。 showing example of Shelter and shops with 屋.
一週間フレンズ。 » Volume 1 » Page 54

After Hase finally became friends with Fujimiya, her warning came to pass: her weekly memory reset, which causes her to forget her friends on Monday morning, left her with no recollection of spending time with Hase last week. Hase asks Fujimiya to be his friend, but realizes that it was too sudden, so he decides to create an opportunity to remind her of last week.

長谷(はせ):
「えっと…とりあえず 一緒(いっしょ)(ひる)(はん)()べません か…?」
“Um, for now, how about we have lunch together...?”
「いつも(どお)屋上(おくじょう)でいいんで…」
“On the rooftop, as usual, is fine...”
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Rooms and Interior Spaces

部屋 (Room)

部屋(へや) refers to a space within a building, such as a house, that is separated by walls, doors, or sliding doors. It refers to living spaces, as well as areas for work or study.

It combines (section) with 屋 (room) to show a sectioned-off room within a larger building.

Manga panel from たいようのいえ showing example of Shelter and shops with 屋.
たいようのいえ » Volume 1 » Page 87

Hiro lets Mao move into his sister’s bedroom, as Hina is living with relatives. After, he comes up with a list of rules that Mao needs to follow if she’s to keep living there.

(ひろ):
「…さて 片付(かたづ)け…」
“Now then, cleaning...”
「できるのかな おまえ…」
“I wonder if you can do it.”
(おれ) 陽菜(ひな)部屋(へや)相当(そうとう)キレイにしてたんだぞ」
“I kept Hina's room pretty clean, you know.”
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Shops and Trade Houses

本屋 (Bookstore)

本屋(ほんや) refers to a store that sells books and magazines, or to the business or owner of such a store.

It combines 本 (book) with 屋 (shop) to show a shop for books.

Manga panel from この美術部には問題がある! showing example of Shelter and shops with 屋.
この美術部には問題がある! » Volume 8 » Page 94

Upon hearing Usami say she’s stopping by the school library, Uchimaki says he wants to go with, and Colette tags along.

内巻(うちまき):
(ほん)だらけだ!!」
“It's nothing but books!!”
コレット:
本屋(ほんや)さんみたいだ!!」
“It's like a book store!!”
宇佐美(うさみ):
2人(ふたり)とも(しずか)にしなさい」
“Quiet down, you two.”
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屋台 (Food stall)

屋台(やたい) is a simple, mobile stall equipped with a roof and wheels, used to sell food, drinks, toys, and other goods while on the move. They are commonly found at events such as the grounds of shrines and temples, temple fairs, and local festivals.

It combines 屋 (roofed shelter) with 台 (stand) to show a roofed stand used as a stall.

Manga panel from 舞妓さんちのまかないさん showing example of Shelter and shops with 屋.
舞妓さんちのまかないさん » Volume 8 » Page 84

At a local festival, Kiyo hurries over to Sumire and Kenta.

キヨ:
「あったあった 今年(ことし)も!!」
“It's here, it's here, again this year!”
(あま)いたこやきの屋台(やたい)!!」
“The sweet takoyaki booth!”
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