列島

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 列島 is read as れっとう and means “archipelago” and “island chain”.
• Basic usage: It denotes an arc-shaped island chain on a map and a long archipelago traversed by boat.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• Key distinction: 弓なりに連なる列島
  • It is a connected group of islands, not one island; its shape can be described as 弓なりに連なる列島.