Japanese word

維新

Pronunciation

Romajiishin

Meaning

  • nounreform

Example

維新を求める声が高まっています。i shin o moto me ru koe ga taka ma tte i ma su

Calls for reform are growing.

Illustration for 維新 (reform)

More examples

明治維新は、政治だけでなく社会の仕組みも変えました。mei ji i shin wa sei ji da ke de na ku sha kai no shi ku mi mo ka e ma shi ta

The Meiji Restoration changed not only politics but also the structure of society.

Core concept

Refers to a major change that renews the foundations of a political or social system.

Common phrases

  • 明治維新mei ji i shin

    Meiji Restoration

  • 維新を求めるi shin o moto me ru

    seek reform

  • 維新を断行するi shin o dan kō su ru

    carry out radical reform

Similar words

改革kaikaku: A planned change that improves an existing system while keeping its basic structure.
変革henkaku: A fundamental transformation that changes the structure or character of a political or social system.
革命kakumei: A rapid and far-reaching change that replaces an established political or social order.

Definition in Japanese

政治や社会の古い仕組みを大きく改め、再び新しくすること。sei ji ya sha kai no furu i shi ku mi o ō ki ku arata me futata bi atara shi ku su ru ko to

Word origin

In the Sino-Japanese compound 維新 (ishin, "reform and renewal"), 維 (i, "to maintain or hold together") is paired with 新 (shin, "new") to express renewal of an established system.

Usage tips

  • The historical phrase 明治維新 (Meiji Ishin, "Meiji Restoration") is widely rendered as Meiji Restoration in English, while 維新 (ishin) by itself can refer more generally to sweeping renewal.

Other meanings

  • restorationnoun
  • revolutionnoun

Opposites

Word lists with this word