Meaning
The N1 kanji 抵 (テイ) has a range of meanings revolving around contact, opposition, and arrival. Today, its main interpretations include 'to resist,' 'to oppose,' 'to contradict,' 'to reach,' 'to hit,' and 'to touch.' While it covers several concepts, the core idea of active engagement or interaction underlies all its uses.
Etymologically, 抵 is a phono-semantic compound. It combines the 扌 (てへん) radical, representing 'hand,' with 氐 (テイ) as its phonetic component. The component 氐 itself historically meant 'base,' 'foundation,' or 'to reach down to the bottom.' When combined with the 'hand' radical, it strongly suggests using one's hand for physical engagement. This includes actions like pushing back against something to resist, hitting, or reaching out to touch or arrive at a destination.
Visually, the left side, 扌, points to actions involving a hand or physical effort. The right side, 氐, provides the オン-reading テイ and subtly reinforces the idea of contact or reaching a 'base' or 'point.' In this way, the kanji's structure itself conveys its core meanings of physical contact, opposition, or arrival. This Jōyō kanji, with 9 strokes, is taught in secondary school (Grade 9).
Readings
On'yomi (音読み) — Chinese-derived readings
The primary オン-reading for 抵 is テイ. This reading primarily appears in compound words, particularly those with abstract or formal meanings related to resistance, conflict, or collateral.
- 抵抗 (teikō) — This is likely the most common compound, meaning 'resistance' or 'opposition.' You'll often find it used in contexts from physical resistance against force to political or social opposition.
- 抵触 (teishoku) — Meaning 'conflict,' 'contradiction,' or 'infringement.' It describes situations where something goes against another, such as laws, rules, or agreements.
- 抵当 (teitō) — Meaning 'mortgage' or 'collateral.' This term refers to something pledged as security for a loan, emphasizing the idea of equivalence or security.
Kun'yomi (訓読み) — Native Japanese readings
While 抵 has several クン-readings, these are generally less common in modern Japanese. You'll often find them in older texts or specific literary contexts, much less frequently than オン-reading compounds. For modern learners, focusing on the オン-reading is usually more practical. However, acknowledging these native readings provides a more complete understanding of the kanji.
とど-まる (todomaru) — To stop, to remain. This reading captures the idea of halting or staying in a particular place. While not common today, you might encounter it in expressions like:
足が抵まる (ashi ga todomaru) — To stop one's feet (e.g., stopping abruptly, often in older literature).
心が抵まる (kokoro ga todomaru) — To remain in one's heart (e.g., a memory lingering).
とど-める (todomeru) — To stop (transitive), to hold back, to retain. This is the transitive form of とどまる, implying actively bringing something to a halt or keeping it in place. Examples include:
手を抵める (te o todomeru) — To stop one's hand (e.g., from an action).
息を抵める (iki o todomeru) — To hold one's breath.
あ-たる (ataru) — To hit, to strike, to be equivalent to. This reading conveys making direct contact or matching something, though its use with 抵 is now rare. Historical examples:
目標に抵たる (mokuhyō ni ataru) — To hit the target.
太陽に抵たる (taiyō ni ataru) — To be exposed to the sun.
ふ-れる (fureru) — To touch, to feel. This reading highlights light physical contact. You might see it in older or poetic contexts such as:
肌が抵れる (hada ga fureru) — Skin touches.
手が抵れる (te ga fureru) — Hand touches.
Common Words & Compounds
The kanji 抵 appears in many important N1-level vocabulary words, primarily as part of オン-reading compounds. They are essential for grasping advanced Japanese across different fields.
Resistance and Opposition
- 抵抗 (teikō) — Resistance, opposition, defiance. This term covers various forms of opposition, from physical to ideological.
- 抵抗力 (teikōryoku) — Power of resistance, immunity. You'll often hear it in biological or physical contexts, such as immunity to disease.
- 抵抗運動 (teikō undō) — Resistance movement. Describes organized groups opposing an authority or occupation.
- 抵抗器 (teikōki) — Resistor (an electrical component). This is a technical term.
Conflict and Infringement
- 抵触 (teishoku) — Conflict, contradiction, infringement, violation. This term applies when something goes against rules, laws, or expectations.
- 抵触事件 (teishoku jiken) — A case of conflict or infringement. This is a legal or formal term.
Finance and Collateral
- 抵当 (teitō) — Mortgage, collateral, security. Refers to assets used to secure a loan.
- 抵当権 (teitōken) — Right of mortgage, lien. This signifies the legal right to property as security for a debt.
- 抵当物 (teitōbutsu) — Mortgaged article, security. This refers to the actual item or property used as collateral.
- 抵当流れ (teitō nagare) — Foreclosure of a mortgage. This describes the process by which mortgaged property is seized.
Reaching and Arriving
- 抵達 (teitatsu) — Arrival, reaching (a destination). This is a more formal or literary way to say 'arrive'.
- 抵着 (teichaku) — Adherence, sticking (to a point or idea), settling down. It can refer to an idea taking hold or something becoming fixed.
Example Sentences
彼は不当な要求に抵抗した。
Kare wa futō na yōkyū ni teikō shita.
He resisted the unfair demand.
この行為は法律に抵触する可能性がある。
Kono kōi wa hōritsu ni teishoku suru kanōsei ga aru.
This act might infringe upon the law.
政府への抵抗運動が全国に広まった。
Seifu e no teikō undō ga zenkoku ni hiromatta.
The resistance movement against the government spread nationwide.
抵当を組んで家を購入した。
Teitō o kunde ie o kōnyū shita.
I bought a house with a mortgage.
風邪に対する抵抗力をつけたい。
Kaze ni tai suru teikōryoku o tsuketai.
I want to build up my resistance to colds.
彼らは目標とする地点に抵達した。
Karera wa mokuhyō to suru chiten ni teitatsu shita.
They reached their target destination.
その計画は現行法に抵触しないよう、慎重に練られた。
Sono keikaku wa genkōhō ni teishoku shinai yō, shinchō ni nerareta.
That plan was carefully refined so as not to infringe on current laws.
心の中で強い抵抗を感じながらも、彼は指示に従った。
Kokoro no naka de tsuyoi teikō o kanjinagara mo, kare wa shiji ni shitagatta.
Even while feeling strong resistance internally, he followed the instructions.
抵当権の設定には、専門家の助言が必要です。
Teitōken no settei ni wa, senmonka no jogen ga hitsuyō desu.
Expert advice is necessary for setting up a mortgage right.
医療分野では、抗生物質への細菌の抵抗力が問題となっている。
Iryō bunya de wa, kōseibusshitsu e no saikin no teikōryoku ga mondai to natte iru.
In the medical field, bacterial resistance to antibiotics is becoming an issue.
Memory Tip
To remember the kanji 抵, focus on its two components. The left side is 扌, the 'hand' radical, indicating a hand-related action. The right side is 氐, which gives the オン-reading テイ and originally meant 'base' or 'to reach low.' Imagine using your hand (扌) to resist something by pushing it back to its base (氐). Alternatively, think of stretching your hand out to reach and touch a distant point. This active use of the hand, making contact or opposing a force, vividly represents 抵's core meanings of 'resist,' 'oppose,' 'hit,' or 'reach.'