noun
Standard word for an island. Can also refer to an isolated area or a territory in certain contexts.
日本は多くの島からなる国です。
Japan is a country made up of many islands.
その島には珍しい動物が住んでいる。
Rare animals live on that island.
noun
Slang term for a person's or group's territory, especially in contexts like sex work or organized crime. Usually written in katakana as シマ.
この辺りはあの組のシマだ。
This area is that gang's turf.
彼女は自分のシマで商売をしている。
She does business on her own territory.