What does 意 mean in Japanese?
意 means “idea, mind, meaning” in Japanese. You will often see it in practical words such as 意味 (meaning), 意見 (opinion), and 注意 (attention; caution).
For learners, the key is to study 意 through real vocabulary. The examples below show how the kanji works in words, sentences, and related kanji.
Reading
On’yomi: イ (i)
Kun’yomi: —
Basic Information
| Kanji | 意 |
|---|
How to Understand This Kanji
意 is not limited to one English translation. In 意味 (いみ), it means meaning; in 意見 (いけん), it points to opinion; and in 注意 (ちゅうい), it is used for attention; caution. Reading these compounds side by side helps you understand the range of the kanji.
Common Words
- 意味（いみ / imi） — meaning
- 意見（いけん / iken） — opinion
- 注意（ちゅうい / chūi） — attention; caution
- 用意（ようい / yōi） — preparation
- 意外（いがい / igai） — unexpected
- 意思（いし / ishi） — intention; will
Example Sentences
-
この言葉の意味を調べました。
このことばのいみをしらべました。 / Kono kotoba no imi o shirabemashita.
I looked up the meaning of this word.
-
あなたの意見を聞きたいです。
あなたのいけんをききたいです。 / Anata no iken o kikitai desu.
I want to hear your opinion.
-
道を渡る時は注意してください。
みちをわたるときはちゅういしてください。 / Michi o wataru toki wa chūi shite kudasai.
Please be careful when crossing the road.
When Learners Usually See This Kanji
Start with 意味 (いみ / imi) because it keeps the core meaning of 意 clear. Then add 意見 and 注意 to see how the reading and meaning shift in real vocabulary. Do not memorize 意 as a single English word; connect it to actual words and example sentences.
Summary
意 means “idea, mind, meaning” and appears in useful Japanese words such as 意味, 意見, and 注意.