How to Say "Meaning" in Japanese

意味

imi[imʲi]

The Japanese word for "meaning" is 意味 (imi).

意味 is a noun used to refer to the definition or connotation of a word.

Meaning: definition or connotation of a word (noun)

How do you pronounce it?

imi

To ask for clarification on someone's intent or to ask for the definition of a term, the standard phrase is どういう意味ですか？

The character 味 in 意味 is the same character used for 'taste' in food, suggesting a 'flavor' of meaning.
In Japanese, the word for 'meaning' can be expressed as 意味 or 趣, where the latter refers to the deeper 'flavor' or 'spirit' of a thing.
If you want to say something 'has no meaning' or is 'pointless', you often use 意味がない (imi ga nai) instead of just saying it is useless.

どういう意味？
What's the meaning of this?
This sentence is useful for asking for the meaning of something using 意味.
Tatoeba #2492791 by tommy_san, translation #2713263 by CK
意味は変わらないよ。
The meaning doesn't change.
This sentence shows how to state that a meaning does not change using 意味.
Tatoeba #11327853 by small_snow, translation #11327841 by sundown
意味がわからなかった。
I didn't catch the meaning.
This sentence demonstrates using 意味 when you did not understand or catch a meaning.
Tatoeba #191038 by bunbuku, translation #28198 by CK
この言葉の意味を教えてください。
Please tell me the meaning of this word.
この研究の着眼点は何ですか？
What is the focus of this research?
あの映画の結末の意味、わかった？
Did you understand the meaning of the ending in that movie?
彼女の歌詞には深いメッセージが込められているよ。
Her lyrics contain a deep message.
この文化祭の意義は何だと思う？
What do you think is the meaning/significance of this cultural festival?
なぜ彼はそんなことを言ったのか、意図がわからない。
I don't understand the meaning/intention behind why he said such a thing.
85 more sentences on Tatoeba

Kenta and Himari are studying a foreign language together.

健太 Kenta

この単語の意味を教えてください。
Kono tango no imi o oshiete kudasai.
Please tell me the meaning of this word.
陽葵 Himari

それは「美しい」という意味だよ。
Sore wa "utsukushii" to iu imi da yo.
That means "beautiful".
健太 Kenta

なるほど、意味がわかりました。
Naruhodo, imi ga wakarimashita.
I see, I understand the meaning now.
陽葵 Himari

よかったね、健太さん。
Yokatta ne, Kenta-san.
I'm glad to hear that, Kenta.

Sources

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