Japanese word

シンボル

Pronunciation

Romajishinboru

Meaning

  • nounsymbol

Example

鳩は平和のシンボルです。hato wa hei wa no shi n bo ru de su

A dove is a symbol of peace.

Illustration for シンボル (symbol)

More examples

その塔は街の新しいシンボルになりました。so no tō wa machi no atara shi i shi n bo ru ni na ri ma shi ta

The tower became the city's new symbol.

Core concept

Connects a visible thing with an abstract meaning that people recognize through shared understanding.

Common phrases

  • 国のシンボルkuni no shi n bo ru

    symbol of the country

  • 平和のシンボルhei wa no shi n bo ru

    symbol of peace

  • 文化のシンボルbun ka no shi n bo ru

    symbol of culture

Similar words

象徴shōchō: A person, object, or event that clearly represents an abstract idea or quality.
しるしshirushi: A mark, object, or action that conveys a meaning recognized by people.
記号kigō: A sign used in a formal system to represent information, an operation, or a value.

Definition in Japanese

形や記号などに、特定の事柄や考えを表す役割を持たせたもの。katachi ya ki gō na do ni toku tei no koto gara ya kanga e o arawa su yaku wari o mo ta se ta mo no

Word origin

シンボル (shinboru) was borrowed from English symbol; the English word traces back through Latin symbolum to Greek sýmbolon, "token" or "sign."

Usage tips

  • In English, a symbol can be a letter or mark in a formal system as well as something that represents an idea in everyday life.

Related words

  • シンボル化shinborukasymbolizationnoun
  • シンボル的shinborutekisymbolicna-adjective

Word lists with this word