Translation and Meaning of: 入る - iru

If you've ever wondered how Japanese people express the idea of "everything" or "completely" in everyday situations, the word 入る (いる) is one of the answers. In this article, we will explore its etymology, meaning, and how it is used in the Japanese language, along with tips for memorization and interesting facts that go beyond the dictionary. Here at Suki Nihongo, you will also find practical examples to include in your Anki or spaced repetition program, making your learning easier.

Often, Japanese learners confuse 入る (いる) with other terms that express totality, but its origin and usage have unique particularities. Let's unravel everything from its pictogram to how it appears in popular expressions, including connections that Japanese people make in their daily lives. Get ready to discover why this word is so versatile and how mastering it can enrich your vocabulary.

Etymology and Origin of 入る (いる)

The word 入る (いる) has deep roots in the Japanese language, with its kanji 入 representing the idea of "entering" or "being included." Originally, this character was used to indicate movement into a space, but over time, its meaning has expanded to encompass notions of totality and completeness. You may have seen this kanji in words like 入口 (いりぐち), which means "entrance," but in 入る (いる), it takes on a more abstract sense.

Interestingly, the reading いる is less common than はいる for the same kanji, which can cause confusion. While はいる is used for physical actions, like entering a place, いる appears in contexts that involve total inclusion or a state of completeness. This duality is part of the richness of Japanese, where the same ideogram can carry different nuances depending on the situation.

Use and Applications in Everyday Life

In daily life, Japanese people use 入る (いる) to emphasize that something is included completely, without exceptions. For example, in phrases like 全部入る (ぜんぶいる), which means "everything is included," the word reinforces the idea that nothing has been left out. It is common to hear it in commercial contexts, such as in service packages or food combos, where completeness is an important value.

Another interesting use is in expressions that denote emotional states or abstract situations. Imagine someone saying 心に入る (こころにいる) – this can be interpreted as "being completely immersed in a feeling." This flexibility makes the word a powerful tool for those who want to express themselves accurately in Japanese, whether in casual conversations or in more formal texts.

Tips for Memorization and Curiosities

An effective way to memorize 入る (いる) is to visually associate it with its kanji. The character 入 looks like an arrow pointing into a closed space, which helps to remember its meaning of total inclusion. How about practicing by writing this ideogram a few times while repeating its meaning out loud? This multisensory technique can speed up your learning.

In the world of Japanese puns, 入る (いる) appears in word games that play with the idea of "being inside" or "complete." For example, in some mangas and animes, you might find jokes like お腹に入る？ (おなかにいる？), which literally asks if something "fits in the belly," but also suggests that the person is satisfied. These details show how the Japanese language blends humor and meaning in creative ways.

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Verb conjugation of 入る

• 入る - , base of the positive form
• 入ります - , polite way
• 入っています - , progressive form
• 入らない - , negative form

Synonyms and similar words

• 参る (mairu) - to go (humiliation or respect)
• 潜る (moguru) - dive; enter; hide
• 進む (susumu) - advance; progress
• 入り込む (hairikomu) - enter; infiltrate
• 踏み込む (fumikomu) - step in; enter into (a situation)
• 突入する (totsunyū suru) - invade; quickly enter a situation
• 投入する (tōnyū suru) - launch; introduce (in a situation or context)

入る

Romaji: iru
Kana: いる
Type: verb
L: jlpt-n5

Translation / Meaning: all; everything that exists; no exception; whole; completely; absolutely

Meaning in English: to get in;to go in;to come in;to flow into;to set;to set in

Definition: Algo entra.

Example Sentences - (入る) iru

See below some example sentences:

物置きにはたくさんの物が入っています。

Mokowatari ni wa takusan no mono ga haitte imasu

There are many things in the pantry.

• 物置き (mokuroki) - a closet or storage space for objects
• に (ni) - a particle that indicates the location of the object
• は (wa) - a particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case, the closet
• たくさんの (takusan no) - an adjective meaning "many" or "very"
• 物 (mono) - objects or things
• が (ga) - a particle that indicates the subject of the sentence, in this case, the objects inside the closet
• 入っています (haitte imasu) - a verb meaning "to be inside", indicating that the objects are inside the closet

瓶の中には美味しい酒が入っている。

Bin no naka ni wa oishii sake ga haitte iru

There's a delicious good in the bottle.

• 瓶 (bin) - bottle
• の (no) - Possession particle
• 中 (naka) - inside
• に (ni) - Location particle
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• 美味しい (oishii) - delicious
• 酒 (sake) - Japanese alcoholic beverage
• が (ga) - subject particle
• 入っている (haitteiru) - to be contained/inside

窓から風が入ってきます。

Mado kara kaze ga haitte kimasu

The wind is coming in through the window.

The wind comes from the window.

• 窓 (mado) - window
• から (kara) - from, starting at
• 風 (kaze) - wind
• が (ga) - subject particle
• 入って (haitte) - Entering
• きます (kimasu) - verb "to come" in the polite present

虎穴に入らずんば虎子を得ず。

Koketsu ni irazunba koji wo ezu

If you don't get into the tiger

If you do not enter the tiger's cave, you will not take your puppy.

• 虎穴 - tiger hole
• に - particle indicating location
• 入らず - do not enter
• んば - conditional conjunction
• 虎子 - tiger cub
• を - particle indicating direct object
• 得ず - don't get
• . - Period

貨物を運ぶ船が港に入ってきました。

Kamotsu wo hakobu fune ga minato ni haitte kimashita

A ship carrying cargo has just entered the port.

A ship carrying cargo entered the harbor.

• 貨物 (ka-motsu) - cargo, merchandise
• を (wo) - direct object particle
• 運ぶ (ha-kobu) - carry
• 船 (fune) - ship, boat
• が (ga) - subject particle
• 港 (minato) - port
• に (ni) - target particle
• 入ってきました (haitte kimashita) - entered