Japanese Conversation · Level 13
90 words
Japanese word
意味
Pronunciation
Romajiimi
Meaning
- nounmeaning
Example
この言葉の意味は何ですか。ko no koto ba no i mi wa nan de su ka
What is the meaning of this word?
More examples
この言葉の意味を先生に聞きます。ko no koto ba no i mi o sen sei ni ki ki ma su
I ask my teacher the meaning of this word.
同じ言葉でも、使う場面で意味が変わります。ona ji koto ba de mo tsuka u ba men de i mi ga ka wa ri ma su
Even the same word can have a different meaning depending on the situation.
Core concept
Points to the content, significance, or value that can be understood from something.
Common phrases
意味が分かるi mi ga wa ka ru
understand the meaning
意味があるi mi ga a ru
have meaning
意味を説明するi mi o setsu mei su ru
explain the meaning
Similar words
内容naiyō: The information or subject matter expressed in a statement, work, or event.
中身nakami: The content or substance of a statement, idea, or work.
Definition in Japanese
言葉や記号などが表す内容。また、物事の重要性や価値。koto ba ya ki gō na do ga arawa su nai yō ma ta mono goto no jū yō sei ya ka chi
Word origin
The compound 意味 (imi) joins 意 (i, "meaning or intention") with 味 (mi, "flavor or quality"), giving the sense of the quality or significance carried by something.
Usage tips
- In casual speech, 意味 (imi) can describe the point of a statement, as in 意味わかんない (imi wakan'nai) for something that makes no sense.