岩
[iβ̞a̠]
The English word "rock" is translated into Japanese as 岩.
岩 refers to a large stone or a boulder. In scientific or geological contexts, the compound 岩石 is used to refer to rock as a material.
Meaning: large stone or boulder (noun)
Which one should you use?
While 岩 refers to a large rock or boulder, 石 is used for smaller stones or pebbles. If you are describing a specific type of terrain, you can use the term 岩場, which is created by adding the suffix 場 (meaning 'place') to 岩 to mean a rocky area or terrain.
How does it change in a sentence?
Adding the suffix 場 (ba), meaning 'place', to 岩 creates the word 岩場, which refers to a rocky area or terrain.
Did you know?
- In Japanese mythology, the 'Heavenly Rock Cave' 天岩戸 is a famous story where the sun goddess Amaterasu hid inside a boulder, plunging the world into darkness.
- The word 岩 is used in the expression 岩盤にぶつかる, which literally means 'hitting bedrock' but is used metaphorically to describe hitting a deadlock in negotiations.
- In traditional Japanese gardens, the placement of 岩 follows strict aesthetic and spiritual rules to represent mountains or islands within a small space.
Examples in context
- 岩の下に隠れたい。I want to hide under a rock.This example shows how to use 岩 when expressing a desire to hide under something.Tatoeba #8509079 by small_snow, translation #2819635 by Hybrid
- 岩崩れに気をつけて。Look out for rock slides.This example uses 岩 in the context of warning about rock slides.Tatoeba #183659 by tommy__san, translation #20782 by fcbond
- 彼は頭を岩にぶつけた。He hit his head against a rock.This example demonstrates using 岩 when describing hitting one's head against a rock.Tatoeba #101688 by bunbuku, translation #302005 by CK
- 山の上に美しい石があります。There is a beautiful rock on top of the mountain.
- 川のそばに座って、岩を見ていた。I was sitting by the river, looking at the rocks.
- 21 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two people are hiking in the mountains.
- 陽葵 Himariあの大きな岩は何ですか？Ano ookina iwa wa nan desu ka?What is that large rock?
- 大翔 Hirotoあれは記念の岩ですよ。Are wa kinen no iwa desu yo.That is a commemorative rock.
- 陽葵 Himariすごく重そうですね。Sugoku omosou desu ne.It looks very heavy.
- 大翔 Hirotoはい、とても大きいですね。Hai, totemo ookii desu ne.Yes, it is very big.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 岩, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
