island

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 島 means an island; its kun-reading is しま and its on-reading is とう.
• Basic usage: 島(しま) means an island, while 半島(はんとう) means a peninsula.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• An island and a peninsula connected to land
  • 島 identifies an island surrounded by water. 島の海岸 means the island's coast.
  • 半島 means a peninsula extending into the sea while remaining connected to land. Here 島 is read とう, unlike the standalone reading しま.