Japanese word

半島

Pronunciation

Romajihantō

Meaning

  • nounpeninsula

Example

地図で半島を見つけました。chi zu de han tō o mi tsu ke ma shi ta

I found a peninsula on the map.

Illustration for 半島 (peninsula)

More examples

この船は夕方に半島の近くを通ります。ko no fune wa yū gata ni han tō no chika ku o tō ri ma su

This boat passes near the peninsula in the evening.

Core concept

It describes a stretch of land surrounded by water on most sides but attached to a larger landmass.

Common phrases

  • 半島の東側han tō no higashi gawa

    the eastern side of the peninsula

  • 半島の近くhan tō no chika ku

    near the peninsula

Definition in Japanese

陸地から水域へ突き出し、三方を水に囲まれた土地。riku chi ka ra sui iki e tsu ki da shi san hō o mizu ni kako ma re ta to chi

Word origin

半島 (hantō) is formed from 半 (han, "half") and 島 (tō, "island"), expressing the idea of land that resembles an island without being fully separated.

Usage tips

  • A peninsula can be very large, so the English word is used for major geographic regions as well as smaller landforms.

Word lists with this word