Japanese word

島

Pronunciation

Romajishima

Meaning

  • nounisland

Example

夏に島へ行きます。natsu ni shima e i ki ma su

I go to the island in summer.

Illustration for 島 (island)

More examples

この島には大きな橋があります。ko no shima ni wa ō ki na hashi ga a ri ma su

There is a large bridge on this island.

Core concept

Means a distinct area of land whose boundaries are formed by surrounding water, regardless of its size or type of water.

Common phrases

  • 島へ行くshima e i ku

    go to the island

  • 島を訪れるshima o otozu re ru

    visit the island

  • 島で暮らすshima de ku ra su

    live on the island

Definition in Japanese

四方を水に囲まれた、まとまりのある陸地。shi hō o mizu ni kako ma re ta ma to ma ri no a ru riku chi

Word origin

The noun 島 (shima, "island") is inherited from native Japanese rather than borrowed from another language, and its older form sima has the same meaning.

Usage tips

  • When 島 (shima) appears in a compound place name, its pronunciation may change to jima, as in 宮島 (Miyajima).

Opposites

Word lists with this word