入り江

• Reading: いりえ
• Romaji: irie
• Kanji breakdown: 入 (iri/nyuu) — entering | 江 (e) — inlet, creek
• Pronunciation: /i.ɾi.e/

Meaning

Inlet; bay; cove; creek. A small, sheltered body of water where the sea or a river penetrates inland.

A noun describing a coastal indentation smaller than a bay, offering natural shelter from wind and waves. Commonly used in geography, literature, and travel writing to evoke serene, secluded water bodies. The word carries a distinctly poetic quality in classical Japanese writing and is associated with tranquil, hidden seaside scenery.

Examples

1. 小さな入り江に漁船が何隻か停泊していた。 Several fishing boats were moored in the small inlet.
2. 岩に囲まれた入り江の水は透き通って底まで見えた。 The water in the rock-enclosed cove was so clear you could see all the way to the bottom.
3. 地図を見ると、半島の南側にいくつかの入り江が確認できる。 Looking at the map, you can identify several inlets along the southern side of the peninsula.

Usage Guide

Context: coastal geography, travel writing, classical literature, fishing

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

Compound of 入り (iri, 'entering') and 江 (e, an archaic word for 'inlet' or 'river mouth'), reflecting a place where water enters the land. 江 appears in classical Japanese and Chinese texts for waterways.

Cultural Context

Era: Classical–Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal