Japanese word

離島

Pronunciation

Romajiritō

Meaning

  • nounremote island

Example

この離島には小さな病院があります。ko no ri tō ni wa chii sa na byō in ga a ri ma su

This remote island has a small hospital.

Illustration for 離島 (remote island)

More examples

台風が近づくと、離島への船便が欠航することがあります。tai fū ga chika zu ku to ri tō e no sen bin ga kek kō su ru ko to ga a ri ma su

When a typhoon approaches, ferry service to a remote island may be canceled.

Core concept

Describes an island viewed in relation to a mainland or main island, with the sea separating it from that center.

Common phrases

  • 離島に住むri tō ni su mu

    live on a remote island

  • 離島へのアクセスri tō e no a ku se su

    access to a remote island

  • 離島を訪れるri tō o otozu re ru

    visit a remote island

Similar words

離れ島hanarejima: An island located apart from the mainland or a larger island in ordinary usage.
孤島kotō: An island that stands alone away from other land, with emphasis on its isolation.

Definition in Japanese

本土や主要な島から海を隔てて離れている島。hon do ya shu yō na shima ka ra umi o heda te te hana re te i ru shima

Word origin

離島 (ritō) combines 離 (ri, "separate") and 島 (tō, "island") to name an island separated from a mainland or larger central island.

Usage tips

  • In Japanese geography and public services, 離島 (ritō) can refer to inhabited as well as uninhabited islands, so remote island does not imply that no one lives there.

Other meanings

  • outlying islandnoun
  • isolated islandnoun

Opposites

Word lists with this word