移民

いみん

emigrant, immigrant

JLPT N1

Character Breakdown

Meaning and Usage

"移民" (いみん) refers to people who move from one country or region to another, either as emigrants leaving their home country or immigrants arriving in a new one. It is a formal term often used in news, politics, and social discussions.

Common Contexts

This word frequently appears in discussions about immigration policies, social integration, and demographic changes. It can describe both the act of moving and the people who move.

Collocations and Patterns

  • 移民する: to immigrate or emigrate
  • 移民政策: immigration policy
  • 移民の数: number of immigrants

These collocations are common in formal or academic contexts.

Usage Notes

When using "移民," be aware it is a neutral, formal term. It does not carry the emotional or legal nuances that some other words might have. Learners sometimes confuse "移民" with "入国" (entry into a country) or "出国" (departure), but "移民" specifically refers to the act or status of moving residence across borders permanently or long-term.

Example Sentences

かれはあめりかにいみんして、あたらしいせいかつをはじめた。

He emigrated to America and started a new life.

いみんせいさくについてぎろんがかっぱつになっている。

There is active debate about immigration policy.

いみんのかずがふえると、しゃかいのたようせいもたかまる。

As the number of immigrants increases, social diversity also rises.