From Classical Japanese 住む (sumu), related to the noun 住まい (sumai, "dwelling/residence"). Shares its root with 住所 (jūsho, "address") and 住民 (jūmin, "resident"), all built on the kanji 住 meaning "to dwell."

When Japanese people ask where someone lives, they often ask 「どこに住んでいますか？」 — a very common early conversation topic. Note that 住む describes long-term residence, whereas いる is used for temporary presence. Moving house is called 引っ越し (hikkoshi), and it is a significant life event often marked by giving neighbors small gifts called 引っ越し挨拶 (hikkoshi aisatsu).