Quick answer
島 is the kanji for "Island". Its reading is しま (shima). This page includes example sentences and a stroke-order diagram.
Meaning
Island
Also : Isle · Islet
Learn 島 with SRS
Free to start — no credit card. Track every review with spaced repetition.
Readings
kun = Japanese reading · on = Chinese reading
Practice writing
Trace the kanji stroke by stroke with a visual guide.
Stroke Order
10 strokes
Radicals
Memory Aid
The kanji 島 represents 'ISLAND'. Think of this shape as a picture representing the concept of island.
On-reading: とう — remember this sound by associating it with island. Kun-reading: しま.
Example Sentences
この島に住む人々にとって、海は生活の一部です。
このしまにすむひとびとにとって、うみはせいかつのいちぶです。
For the people living on this island, the sea is part of life.
離島への移住者が増えることによって、地域が活性化しています。
りとうへのいじゅうしゃがふえることによって、ちいきがかっせいかしています。
The region is being revitalized as more people move to remote islands.
Vocabulary using 島
Grammar to study at this level
- [Noun] + に伴い～に伴い (ni tomonai) - Along with / In accordance with
- [Noun] + をはじめ～をはじめ (wo hajime) - Starting with / Including
- [Noun] + に応じて～に応じて (ni oujite) - According to / In response to
- [Noun] + から + [Noun] + にかけて～にかけて (ni kakete) - From...to / In the area of
- [Noun] + に限り～に限り (ni kagiri) - Limited to / Only
Last updated Jun 18, 2026
Learn 島 with Spaced Repetition
InitialJ uses scientifically proven SRS to help you memorize kanji and vocabulary for the JLPT. N5 is free forever; no credit card required.