Readings: イ (Onyomi), (Kunyomi)
Meaning: Italy; that one (archaic); he (archaic)
The kanji 伊 is primarily used as a phonetic component, especially for transliterating foreign names and places, notably ‘Italy’. Historically, it could also mean ‘that one’ or ‘he’ in classical Chinese, but this usage is rare in modern Japanese except in specific fixed expressions or names.
View JLPT N1 Kanji ListHow to Write – Stroke Order
The kanji 伊 has 6 strokes. The radical is 人 (ninben), placed on the left. The stroke order begins with the two strokes of the radical, followed by the remaining four strokes on the right side. Pay attention to the sweeping final stroke.
Kanji Details
| Radical | 人 (にんべん) |
|---|---|
| Strokes | 6 |
| JLPT Level | N1 |
| Grade | S |
Readings with English Transcription
Onyomi (Chinese readings)
- イ (I)
Common Words Using 伊
Onyomi Readings
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| イタリア | イタリア | Italy |
| 伊達 | だて | dandified; stylish; showy; Date (surname) |
| 伊豆 | いず | Izu Peninsula/Islands |
| 伊勢 | いせ | Ise (city/shrine) |
| 伊賀 | いが | Iga (region, historically famous for ninja) |
| 伊予 | いよ | Iyo (old province name in Shikoku) |
| 伊藤 | いとう | Itō (common Japanese surname) |
| 伊万里 | いまり | Imari (city in Saga Prefecture, famous for porcelain) |
| 伊達眼鏡 | だてめがね | glasses worn for fashion, not correction |
| 伊良湖岬 | いらごみさき | Cape Irago (in Aichi Prefecture) |
Example Sentences
Japanese: イタリアは美しい国です。
Kana: イタリアはうつくしいくにです。
Romaji: Itaria wa utsukushii kuni desu.
English: Italy is a beautiful country.
Japanese: 伊達政宗は有名な戦国武将でした。
Kana: だてまさむねはゆうめいなせんごくぶしょうでした。
Romaji: Date Masamune wa yūmei na Sengoku bushō deshita.
English: Date Masamune was a famous Sengoku period samurai commander.
Japanese: 伊豆半島は温泉で有名です。
Kana: いずはんとうはおんせんでゆうめいです。
Romaji: Izu Hantō wa onsen de yūmei desu.
English: The Izu Peninsula is famous for its hot springs.
Japanese: 伊勢神宮は日本で最も神聖な場所の一つです。
Kana: いせじんぐうはにほんでもっともしんせいなばしょのひとつです。
Romaji: Ise Jingū wa Nihon de mottomo shinsei na basho no hitotsu desu.
English: Ise Grand Shrine is one of the most sacred places in Japan.
Japanese: 伊賀流忍術は世界的に知られています。
Kana: いがりゅうにんじゅつはせかいてきにしられています。
Romaji: Iga-ryū ninjutsu wa sekaiteki ni shirarete imasu.
English: Iga-ryū ninja techniques are known worldwide.
Japanese: 彼は伊予弁を流暢に話します。
Kana: かれはいよべんをりゅうちょうにはなします。
Romaji: Kare wa Iyo-ben o ryūchō ni hanashimasu.
English: He speaks the Iyo dialect fluently.
Japanese: 伊藤さんは会社の新しいプロジェクトリーダーです。
Kana: いとうさんはかいしゃのあたらしいプロジェクトリーダーです。
Romaji: Itō-san wa kaisha no atarashii purojekuto rīdā desu.
English: Mr. Ito is the new project leader for the company.
Japanese: 伊万里焼は美しい陶磁器です。
Kana: いまりやきはうつくしいとうじきです。
Romaji: Imari-yaki wa utsukushii tōjiki desu.
English: Imari ware is beautiful porcelain.
Japanese: 彼女は伊達眼鏡をかけている。
Kana: かのじょはだてめがねをかけている。
Romaji: Kanojo wa date-megane o kakete iru.
English: She is wearing fashion glasses.
Japanese: 伊良湖岬から美しい夕日が見えます。
Kana: いらごみさきからうつくしいゆうひがみえます。
Romaji: Irago Misaki kara utsukushii yūhi ga miemasu.
English: You can see a beautiful sunset from Cape Irago.
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