印

• Reading: いん
• Romaji: in
• Kanji breakdown: 印 (in/shirushi) — mark, stamp, seal
• Pronunciation: /iɴ/

Meaning

Mark; symbol; seal; sign. A visible indicator or stamp used for identification.

A noun with multiple related meanings: a physical stamp or seal (印鑑 is the formal word for a personal seal), a mark or symbol, and evidence or proof. Common in compounds like 印象 (impression), 目印 (landmark/marker), and 印刷 (printing). Also read as しるし in native Japanese contexts.

Examples

1. 地図に印をつけてください。 Please put a mark on the map.
2. 合格した人の名前に印がある。 There are marks next to the names of people who passed.
3. 目印になる建物を探した。 I looked for a building to use as a landmark.

Usage Guide

Context: documents, navigation, identification

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

The kanji 印 originally depicted a hand pressing down on a kneeling person, evolving to mean 'press' and then 'stamp' or 'seal.' It entered Japanese from Chinese and carries both the on'yomi いん and kun'yomi しるし readings.

Cultural Context

Era: Ancient

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal