Meaning
The kanji 催 encompasses a broad spectrum of meanings. Its core ideas revolve around 'to urge,' 'to compel,' 'to host,' and 'to hold an event.' Additionally, especially with its native Japanese reading, it can mean 'to stimulate,' 'to bring on,' or 'to give signs of' a particular state or feeling.
Its etymological roots provide valuable insight into this semantic range. The kanji 催 is a phono-semantic compound. This means it combines a semantic component (radical) that hints at its meaning with a phonetic component that suggests its pronunciation. On the left, we find the radical 人, which means 'person' or 'human being.' This immediately signals that the kanji often relates to human actions or states.
The right side, 崔, acts as the phonetic component, providing the on'yomi 'SAI.' While primarily phonetic, 崔 itself is composed of 山 (mountain) and 隹 (short-tailed bird), often conveying a sense of something high, towering, or majestic. When a 'person' (人) is involved in bringing forth something 'high' or 'important' (implied by 崔), it naturally leads to the idea of urging, organizing, or compelling an event or action. This forms the basis for its meaning in expressions like 開催 (to hold an event) or 催促 (to urge a person).
The kanji has 13 strokes and is a Joyo Kanji (常用漢字), included in the list of kanji designated for common use. As an N1 level kanji for the JLPT, it signifies advanced usage and appears in complex vocabulary.
Readings
On'yomi (音読み) — Chinese-derived readings
The primary on'yomi for 催 is サイ (SAI). You'll frequently encounter this reading in compound words, especially those pertaining to organizing events, urging actions, or inducing various states.
- サイ (SAI)
This reading finds extensive use in formal contexts, particularly when discussing the hosting of events or compelling actions.
- 開催 (kaisai) — Holding (an event), hosting, staging.
Example: 会議の開催が決定された。
The holding of the meeting was decided.
- 主催 (shusai) — Sponsorship, hosting, organizing.
Example: そのイベントは市が主催したものです。
That event was hosted by the city.
- 催促 (saisoku) — Demand, request, urging, pressing for.
Example: 家賃の催促が来た。
A demand for rent came.
- 催眠 (saimin) — Hypnosis.
Example: 彼は催眠術をかけた。
He performed hypnosis.
Kun'yomi (訓読み) — Native Japanese readings
The main kun'yomi for 催 is もよお-す (moyoo.su). This reading is exclusively used for verbs and describes two main types of actions: holding an event, or more commonly, giving signs of a particular physical or emotional state.
- もよお-す (moyoo.su)
This versatile verb describes both the act of organizing an event and the experience of a bodily sensation or impulse.
- 催す (moyoo.su) — To hold (an event), to give signs of, to feel (sick), to show symptoms of, to be about to do something.
Example: 近く催される祭り。
A festival to be held soon.
- 吐き気を催す (hakike o moyoo.su) — To feel nauseous, to feel like vomiting.
Example: 船酔いで吐き気を催した。
I felt nauseous from seasickness.
- 便意を催す (ben'i o moyoo.su) — To feel the urge to defecate.
Example: 急に便意を催してトイレに駆け込んだ。
I suddenly felt the urge to go to the bathroom and rushed in.
Common Words & Compounds
Here is a selection of common words and compounds using 催, organized by their primary usage to facilitate understanding.
Event & Organization Related:
開催 (kaisai) — Holding (an event), hosting. Often used for conferences, exhibitions, or sports events.
主催 (shusai) — Sponsorship, hosting, organizing. Refers to the main organizer of an event.
共催 (kyōsai) — Co-hosting, joint sponsorship. When multiple entities organize an event together.
催し (moyōoshi) — Event, gathering, function. A general term for any organized social or cultural activity.
展覧会開催 (tenrankai kaisai) — Holding an exhibition. This is a specific example of using 開催.
Urging & Stimulating Related:
催促 (saisoku) — Demand, request, urging, pressing for. Often used when requesting payment or a report.
催眠 (saimin) — Hypnosis. The state or act of inducing a hypnotic trance.
催眠術 (saiminjutsu) — Hypnotism. The technique or art of inducing hypnosis.
催情剤 (saijōzai) — Aphrodisiac. A substance used to stimulate sexual desire.
催涙弾 (sairuidan) — Tear gas, tear-gas bomb. A chemical weapon that causes severe eye and respiratory irritation.
催告 (saikoku) — Notification, demand. A formal notice or demand, often for payment or action.
Physical Sensation Related (using もよおす):
吐き気を催す (hakike o moyoo.su) — To feel nauseous. Literally, to bring on nausea.
便意を催す (ben'i o moyoo.su) — To feel the urge to defecate. Literally, to bring on the urge to use the restroom.
眠気を催す (nemuke o moyoo.su) — To feel sleepy. To bring on sleepiness.
Example Sentences
来月、新製品発表会が開催されます。
Raigetsu, shinseihin happyōkai ga kaisai saremasu.
Next month, a new product launch event will be held.
彼は支払いを催促されたが、まだ払っていない。
Kare wa shiharai o saisoku sareta ga, mada haratte inai.
He was urged to pay, but he still hasn't paid.
大規模な国際会議が東京で主催されることになった。
Daikibo na kokusai kaigi ga Tōkyō de shusai sareru koto ni natta.
It was decided that a large-scale international conference would be hosted in Tokyo.
コンサートの催しは大成功だった。
Konsāto no moyōoshi wa daiseikō datta.
The concert event was a great success.
急に強いストレスで腹痛を催した。
Kyū ni tsuyoi sutoresu de fukutsū o moyoo.shita.
I suddenly felt abdominal pain due to severe stress.
雨が降りそうな気配を催している。
Ame ga furisō na kehai o moyoo.shite iru.
It's giving signs that it might rain.
催眠術師は観客を催眠状態に導いた。
Saiminjutsushi wa kankyaku o saimin jōtai ni michibiita.
The hypnotist guided the audience into a hypnotic state.
彼は旅行の詳細について早急な回答を催告した。
Kare wa ryokō no shōsai ni tsuite sōkyū na kaitō o saikoku shita.
He demanded an urgent response regarding the travel details.
新しいデパートの開店記念イベントが盛大に催された。
Atarashii depāto no kaiten kinen ibento ga seidai ni moyoosareta.
The opening celebration event for the new department store was grandly held.
Memory Tip
To remember 催, envision its two components: 人 (person) on the left, and 崔 (a phonetic component often implying 'high' or 'lofty') on the right. Picture a person (人) standing on a high mountain peak (suggested by 崔, which contains 山 for mountain). This person isn't merely observing; they are actively urging and announcing a grand event to be held below, actively compelling or stimulating it to happen. This vivid image connects the 'person' who 'urges' or 'hosts' significant 'events,' helping solidify the 'urge' and 'host' meanings in your mind.