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)

Related words

気に入る

kiniiru

be satisfied with; to suit

恐れ入る

osoreiru

be filled with wonder; feel small; to be amazed; be surprised; be disconcerted; be sorry; be grateful; be defeated; confess guilt.

浴びる

abiru

take a shower; sunbathe; take a shower

割り込む

warikomu

to enter; to get involved; transform; for muscle; interrupt; disturb

宜しい

yoroshii

good; ok; all right; all good; very well; will do; can; can

養う

yashinau

back; to maintain; grow crops

無断

mudan

without permission; without prior notice

見詰める

mitsumeru

look at; to look; look hard; observe closely; fix the eyes

謙る

herikudaru

To belittle yourself and praise the listener

踏み込む

fumikomu

enter (someone else's territory); enter; to invade

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.

Quick Access
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How to Write in Japanese - (入る) iru

See below a step-by-step guide on how to write the word by hand in Japanese. (入る) iru:

Example Sentences - (入る) iru

See below some example sentences:

隙間から風が入ってきます。

Sukima kara kaze ga haitte kimasu

The wind goes through the crack.

The wind comes from the gap.

隙間 - means "space" or "openness".
から - is a particle that indicates the origin or starting point of something.
風 - It means "wind".
が - It is a particle that indicates the subject of the sentence.
入って - is the verb form of the verb "entrar" in the present tense and continuous mode.
きます - is the verb form of the verb "vir" in the present tense and polite mode.

風呂に入りたいです。

Furo ni hairitai desu

I want to take a shower.

風呂 - bath
に - particle that indicates the place where something is desired to be done
入りたい - want to enter
です - particle indicating a polite assertion

箪笥の中にはたくさんの衣服が入っている。

Dansu no naka ni wa takusan no ifuku ga haitte iru

There are many clothes inside the wardrobe.

There are many clothes on the chest.

箪笥 - Japanese cabinet
の - Possession particle
中に - Inside of
はたくさんの - many
衣服 - clothes
が - subject particle
入っている - they are inside

この本はどの分類に入りますか？

Kono hon wa dono bunrui ni hairimasu ka?

What category does this book fit in?

What classification is this book?

この - demonstrative that indicates proximity, in this case, refers to a specific book
本 - noun that means book
は - particle that indicates the theme of the sentence, in this case, the book
どの - interrogative pronoun that means which
分類 - noun meaning classification
に - particle that indicates the syntactic function of a term in the sentence, in this case, indicates the relationship between the book and the classification
入ります - verb that means to enter, in this case, is in the present tense and in the polite form
か - Particle that indicates a question

この封筒には大切な手紙が入っています。

Kono fuutou ni wa taisetsu na tegami ga haitteimasu

This envelope contains an important letter.

この - this
封筒 - envelope
に - in
は - is
大切な - important
手紙 - letter
が - (subject particle)
入っています - it's inside

このファイルは大切な情報が入っています。

Kono fairu wa taisetsu na jōhō ga haitteimasu

This file contains important information.

この - demonstrative pronoun that means "this" or "this here"
ファイル - noun that means "file"
は - topic particle indicating that what follows is the subject of the sentence
大切な - Adjective meaning "important" or "valuable".
情報 - noun meaning "information"
が - Subject marker that indicates that what comes next is the subject of the sentence
入っています - verb that means "to be contained" or "to be included" in the present and polite form

この本はとても気に入りました。

Kono hon wa totemo ki ni irimashita

I really liked this book.

この - demonstrative pronoun that means "this" or "this here"
本 - noun meaning "book"
は - particle indicating the topic of the sentence, in this case, "this book"
とても - adverb meaning "very"
気に入りました - verb meaning "I liked it very much", composed of the following elements -
- 気 - noun meaning "feeling", "emotion" or "will"
- に - particle indicating an action towards something or someone, in this case, "like"
- 入りました - verb meaning "to enter", but in this context it is used as an idiomatic expression indicating "to like very much"