隣
neighboring
Details
Stroke Order
Cultural Context
Etymology
Combines 'hill' (阝) with 'lined fires' (粦), depicting houses with lights lined up—neighboring homes.
Symbolism
Symbolizes neighbors, proximity, and community. Represents relationships with nearby people and mutual aid spirit.
Component Breakdown
hill + 粦
Words & Expressions
Words written with 隣
Four-Character Compounds
善隣友好
ぜんりんゆうこう
neighbourly friendship; neighborly friendship
善隣外交
ぜんりんがいこう
good-neighbor diplomacy; a good-neighbor policy
天涯比隣
てんがいひりん
a great distance does not detract from the feeling (relationship) of endearment; feeling as though a dear one faraway were living in one's close neighborhood
Proverbs & Idioms
隣の芝生は青い
となりのしばふはあおい
The grass is greener on the other side
Others always seem better off
Poetry
秋深き隣は何をする人ぞ
Deep autumn — and what does my neighbour do for a living?
Anime & Manga
となりのトトロ
My Neighbor Totoro
Interaction with Totoro, a mysterious creature living 'next door.' Symbol of Studio Ghibli.
時々ボソッとロシア語でデレる隣のアーリャさん
Alya Sometimes Hides Her Feelings in Russian
A well-known work with 隣 in its Japanese title.
お隣の天使様にいつの間にか駄目人間にされていた件
The Angel Next Door Spoils Me Rotten
A well-known work with 隣 in its Japanese title.
完璧すぎて可愛げがないと婚約破棄された聖女は隣国に売られる
The Too-Perfect Saint: Tossed Aside by My Fiancé and Sold to Another Kingdom
A well-known work with 隣 in its Japanese title.
幼馴染彼女のモラハラがひどいんで絶縁宣言してやった ~自分らしく生きることにしたら、なぜか隣の席の隠れ美少女から告白された~
Osananajimi Kanojo no Morahara ga Hidoi n de Zetsuen Sengen Shite Yatta: Jibun Rashiku Ikiru Koto ni Shitara, Naze ka Tonari no Seki no Kakure Bishoujo kara Kokuhaku Sareta
A well-known work with 隣 in its Japanese title.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 隣 mean in Japanese?
隣 means neighboring.
How do you read 隣?
On'yomi: リン (RIN). Kun'yomi: とな.る、となり (tonaru, tonari).
How many strokes does 隣 have?
隣 has 16 strokes. Its radical is 阜 (mound).
Is 隣 a good kanji for a tattoo?
隣 is one of the kanji most often chosen for tattoos. It means neighboring. Read the full meaning and cultural background on this page first — some popular choices are deliberately dark.