岩

• Reading: いわ
• Romaji: iwa
• Kanji breakdown: 岩 (gan/iwa) — rock; composed of 山 (mountain) + 石 (stone)
• Pronunciation: /i.wa/

Meaning

Rock; boulder; crag. A large, solid mass of stone found in nature.

A noun for a large rock or boulder, bigger than 石 (ishi, stone). Often associated with mountains, cliffs, and coastlines. Appears in many compound words: 岩山 (rocky mountain), 岩場 (rocky area), 溶岩 (lava). Also commonly found in place names and surnames. In Japanese mythology, rocks often have spiritual significance.

Examples

1. 海岸に大きな岩がある。 There's a huge rock on the coast.
2. 子供たちが岩の上で遊んでいる。 The kids are playing on top of the rocks.
3. 登山中に岩が落ちてきて危なかった。 A rock fell while we were climbing and it was dangerous.

Usage Guide

Context: nature, geography, outdoor activities

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

The kanji 岩 combines 山 (mountain) and 石 (stone), literally depicting a rock on a mountain — a large stone formation found in mountainous terrain.

Cultural Context

Era: Ancient

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal