What does 入 mean in Japanese?
入 means “enter, put in” in Japanese. You will often see it in practical words such as 入る (to enter), 入れる (to put in), and 入口 (entrance).
For learners, the key is to study 入 through real vocabulary. The examples below show how the kanji works in words, sentences, and related kanji.
Reading
On’yomi: ニュウ (nyuu)
Kun’yomi: い-る (i-ru), い-れる (i-reru), はい-る (hai-ru)
Basic Information
| Kanji | 入 |
|---|---|
| Meaning | enter, insert |
| Stroke Count | 2 |
| JLPT Level | N5 |
How to Understand This Kanji
入 is not limited to one English translation. In 入る (はいる), it means to enter; in 入れる (いれる), it points to to put in; and in 入口 (いりぐち), it is used for entrance. Reading these compounds side by side helps you understand the range of the kanji.
Common Words
- 入る（はいる / hairu） — to enter
- 入れる（いれる / ireru） — to put in
- 入口（いりぐち / iriguchi） — entrance
- 入学（にゅうがく / nyūgaku） — school entrance
- 収入（しゅうにゅう / shūnyū） — income
- 購入（こうにゅう / kōnyū） — purchase
Example Sentences
-
教室に入ります。
きょうしつにはいります。 / Kyōshitsu ni hairimasu.
I enter the classroom.
-
かばんに本を入れました。
かばんにほんをいれました。 / Kaban ni hon o iremashita.
I put a book in my bag.
-
入口で友だちを待ちます。
いりぐちでともだちをまちます。 / Iriguchi de tomodachi o machimasu.
I wait for my friend at the entrance.
When Learners Usually See This Kanji
Start with 入る (はいる / hairu) because it keeps the core meaning of 入 clear. Then add 入れる and 入口 to see how the reading and meaning shift in real vocabulary. Do not memorize 入 as a single English word; connect it to actual words and example sentences.
Summary
入 means “enter, put in” and appears in useful Japanese words such as 入る, 入れる, and 入口.