入 — Enter, Go In, Insert

Meaning

The kanji 入 (にゅう, い-る, い-れる, はいる) embodies the fundamental concept of 'entering' or 'going into' something. As one of the most basic and frequently encountered kanji in Japanese, it's a foundational building block for beginners. Its simple form directly illustrates the action it describes.

Many etymologists believe that the kanji 入 is a pictograph of an arrow or a person stepping into an enclosure or passage. The two strokes, crossing at an angle, suggest inward movement, conveying a sense of being drawn into a space. This clear visual representation helps in understanding its core meaning across various situations.

Despite its simplicity, 入 forms the basis for numerous compound words and idiomatic expressions related to inclusion, insertion, or participation. With just two strokes, it's taught to first-grade elementary school children in Japan, underscoring its foundational importance.

Readings

On'yomi (音読み) — Chinese-derived readings

On'yomi readings originate from Chinese pronunciations. You'll typically find them in compound words, especially those with more formal or abstract meanings.

ニュウ (nyuu)

This is the most common on'yomi for 入. It's frequently used when 入 combines with other kanji to form words related to entering, putting in, or bringing in.

入学にゅうがく (nyuugaku) — entering school, matriculation. This refers to the formal act of joining an educational institution, like enrolling in a university.
入力にゅうりょく (nyuuryoku) — input. Commonly used in technology, such as "データ入力にゅうりょく (data nyuuryoku - data input)."
加入かにゅう (kanyuu) — joining, affiliation. For example, 保険ほけんに加入かにゅうする (hoken ni kanyuu suru - to join an insurance plan).
ジュ (ju)

While less common in everyday N5 vocabulary, the reading ジュ can appear in specific compounds, often in more specialized or historical contexts. It's helpful to be aware of it, but ニュウ is far more prevalent.

出入しゅつじゅ (shutsuju) — coming and going, entrance and exit. This is a less common reading for a compound that frequently uses other readings, like 出入りでいり.

Kun'yomi (訓読み) — Native Japanese readings

Kun'yomi readings are native Japanese pronunciations. They are often used when the kanji stands alone or is combined with okurigana (送り仮名), the trailing hiragana that completes a verb or adjective.

い-る (i-ru)

This reading forms the transitive verb 入るいる, meaning 'to put in' or 'to insert'. However, 入れるいれる is more commonly used for this specific meaning. It also appears in set phrases.

気に入るきにいる (ki ni iru) — to be pleased with, to like. This expresses approval or fondness, such as このこシャツが気きに入いった (kono shatsu ga ki ni itta - I liked this shirt).
手に入れるてにいれる (te ni ireru) — to obtain, to get. Refers to acquiring something, like 情報じょうほうを手てに入いれる (jouhou o te ni ireru - to obtain information).
い-れる (i-reru)

As 入れるいれる, this is a transitive verb meaning 'to put in', 'to insert', 'to include', or 'to let in'. It always requires a direct object.

飲み物のみものを入いれる (nomimono o ireru) — to pour a drink. For example, "コーヒーを入いれる" (koohii o ireru - to pour coffee).
お風呂おふろに入いれる (ofuro ni ireru) — to put (someone) in the bath. This could be used when bathing a child.
カバンカバンに入いれる (kaban ni ireru) — to put into a bag. Like 本ほんをカバンに入いれる (hon o kaban ni ireru - to put a book in the bag).
はいる (hairu)

As 入るはいる, this is an intransitive verb meaning 'to enter', 'to go into', or 'to come in'. It describes the action of moving into a space or state without a direct object being acted upon.

部屋へやに入はいる (heya ni hairu) — to enter a room. For example, 私わたしは部屋へやに入はいった (watashi wa heya ni haitta - I entered the room).
お風呂おふろに入はいる (ofuro ni hairu) — to take a bath. A common phrase, e.g., 毎日まいにちお風呂おふろに入はいります (mainichi ofuro ni hairimasu - I take a bath every day).
学校がっこうに入はいる (gakkou ni hairu) — to enter school (to enroll). Similar to 入学にゅうがく but often more informal.

Common Words & Compounds

The kanji 入 appears in a wide variety of words, all reflecting its basic meaning of entry or inclusion. Here are some common examples, grouped by theme:

Entrance & Admission:
入口いりぐち (iriguchi) — entrance, gate, doorway (e.g., 駅えきの入口いりぐち - eki no iriguchi - station entrance)
入場料にゅうじょうりょう (nyuujouryou) — admission fee (e.g., 美術館びじゅつかんの入場料にゅうじょうりょう - bijutsukan no nyuujouryou - museum admission fee)
入館にゅうかん (nyuukan) — entering a hall/building (e.g., 入館にゅうかん時間じかん - nyuukan jikan - entry time)
入社にゅうしゃ (nyuusha) — joining a company (e.g., 新入社員しんにゅうしゃいん - shinnyuushain - new employee joining the company)
入国にゅうこく (nyuukoku) — entry into a country (e.g., 入国にゅうこく審査しんさ - nyuukoku shinsa - immigration inspection)
Insertion & Inclusion:
記入きにゅう (kinyuu) — entry, filling in (a form) (e.g., 申込書もうしこみしょに記入きにゅうする - moushikomisho ni kinyuu suru - to fill out an application form)
挿入そうにゅう (sounyuu) — insertion (e.g., USBを挿入そうにゅうする - USB o sounyuu suru - to insert a USB)
導入どうにゅう (dounyuu) — introduction, leading in (e.g., 新あたらしいシステムを導入どうにゅうする - atarashii shisutemu o dounyuu suru - to introduce a new system)
輸入ゆにゅう (yunyuu) — import (to bring into a country) (e.g., 車くるまを輸入ゆにゅうする - kuruma o yunyuu suru - to import cars)
Income & Expenditure:
収入しゅうにゅう (shuunyuu) — income, earnings (e.g., 月つきの収入しゅうにゅう - tsuki no shuunyuu - monthly income)
出費しゅっぴ (shuppi) — expenses (literally 'out-go' of money). This is often contrasted with 収入 (shuunyuu).
Miscellaneous:
気に入りきにいり (kiniiri) — favorite, to one's liking (noun form of 気に入るきにいる). For example, 私わたしの気きに入いりの店みせ (watashi no kiniiri no mise - my favorite shop).
入り混じるいりまじる (irimajiru) — to be mixed up with, to mingle (e.g., 色いろ々な意見いけんが入り混いりまじっている - iroirona iken ga irimajitte iru - various opinions are mixed together).
入り込むはいりこむ (hairikomu) — to go into, to get into, to penetrate deeply (e.g., 森もりの奥おくに入り込はいりこむ - mori no oku ni hairikomu - to go deep into the forest).

Example Sentences

部屋へやに入はいります。

Heya ni hairimasu.

I will enter the room.

ドアを開あけて、中なかに入はいってください。

Doa o akete, naka ni haitte kudasai.

Please open the door and come inside.

名前なまえをフォームに記入きにゅうしてください。

Namae o foomu ni kinyuu shite kudasai.

Please fill in your name on the form.

この大学だいがくに入学にゅうがくしたいです。

Kono daigaku ni nyuugaku shitai desu.

I want to enter this university.

冷つめたい水みずをコップに入いれてください。

Tsumetai mizu o koppu ni irete kudasai.

Please put cold water in the cup.

その映画えいがは私わたしの気きに入いりました。

Sono eiga wa watashi no ki ni irimashita.

I liked that movie.

部屋へやが暗くらかったので、電気でんきを入いれました。

Heya ga kurakatta node, denki o iremashita.

The room was dark, so I turned on the light.

会場かいじょうに入はいるにはチケットが必要ひつようです。

Kaijou ni hairu ni wa chiketto ga hitsuyou desu.

A ticket is necessary to enter the venue.

日本にほんに入国にゅうこくする際さいに、ビザが要いります。

Nihon ni nyuukoku suru sai ni, biza ga irimasu.

When entering Japan, a visa is required.

このお店みせの入口いりぐちはあちらです。

Kono omise no iriguchi wa achira desu.

The entrance to this shop is over there.

Related Kanji

Memory Tip

To remember the kanji 入, try visualizing its two strokes. They can look like a pair of legs stepping into a doorway or a tent, with the left stroke being the first step and the right stroke completing the action of entering. Another way to see it is as an arrow pointing downwards and inwards, clearly indicating 'entry'.

The kanji's simple form directly mirrors its basic function: moving from outside to inside. Imagine a person ducking their head to enter a low door, or an arrow flying into a target. Connecting its shape to the fundamental action of going in makes this kanji quite intuitive to remember.