意義

• Reading: いぎ
• Romaji: igi
• Kanji breakdown: 意 (i) — intention, meaning; 義 (gi) — principle, righteousness, meaning
• Pronunciation: /i.ɡi/

Meaning

Meaning; significance; importance. The deeper value or purpose behind something.

A noun denoting the inherent significance, meaning, or worth of something — as opposed to its surface content. 〜の意義 (the significance of ~) is a staple of academic writing and philosophical discussion. Commonly appears in phrases like 意義深い (deeply meaningful) or 意義ある仕事 (meaningful work). Homophone of 異議 (objection) — context distinguishes the two.

Examples

1. ボランティア活動を通じて、働くことの意義を改めて考えた。 Through volunteer work, I reconsidered the meaning of having a job.
2. この研究が持つ社会的意義は非常に大きい。 The social significance of this research is tremendous.
3. 命の意義について真剣に向き合う機会が少なくなっている。 There are fewer and fewer opportunities to seriously reflect on the meaning of life.

Usage Guide

Context: philosophy, education, research, work

Tone: thoughtful

Origin & History

Sino-Japanese compound: 意 (i) means intention or meaning, 義 (gi) means righteousness, principle, or meaning. Together they form 'inherent meaning' or 'significance.'

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: Adult

Social background: Educated