How to say "immigration" in Japanese
Choosing the right word
- 移民いみんnoun, suru verb, intransitive verbThe usual word for immigration as a phenomenon, and also for the immigrants themselves. Use it when discussing immigration policy, the number of immigrants, or a country's history of receiving newcomers.
- 入植にゅうしょくnoun, suru verb, intransitive verbReally means settlement: people moving into a new land to live there and work it, the sense behind colonization. For ordinary immigration to another country, this is seldom the word you want.
- 移住いじゅうnoun, suru verb, intransitive verbThe act of relocating one's home, to another country or region; it reads as emigration or immigration depending on viewpoint. Choose it when 'immigration' means the move itself rather than the people.
Use 移民 for immigration as a phenomenon and for immigrants as people; 移住 for the act of relocating one's home, abroad or within a country; 入植 only for settling a new land, not ordinary immigration.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese equivalents
See also
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