How to Say ‘Next door / neighbor’ in Japanese
おとなり
o tonari
[oh toh-nah-ree]
💬 Usage Tip: [お] is a polite prefix. [となり] = “next to,” so [おとなり] feels friendly/polite for “the neighbor.”
🇯🇵 In Japan: People often avoid naming or pointing blame; saying [おとなり] keeps it indirect and less confrontational.
Phrase Breakdown
お
o
[oh]
(honorific) o- (polite prefix)
A polite prefix that can make a word sound softer/more respectful. In 「おとなり」 it makes “neighbor” sound gentle/polite.
おとなりの方にご迷惑をかけたかもしれません。
We may have bothered the neighbor.
となり
tonari
[toh-nah-ree]
next door; neighbor; the next house/apartment
Refers to the next-door neighbor/next unit. Common as 「おとなりの方」 (“the person next door”).
おとなりの音楽が夜に聞こえてきます。
The neighbor’s music can be heard at night.
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