尽 — To Exhaust, Devote, Run Out

Meaning

The kanji 尽 (尽) carries the fundamental meanings of 'to exhaust,' 'to use up,' 'to run out,' 'to be consumed,' 'to fulfill,' and 'to devote oneself to.' It strongly conveys a sense of thoroughness, reaching an absolute end, or giving one's utmost effort until nothing remains. You'll frequently encounter this kanji in contexts related to dedicated effort, the depletion of resources, or the conclusion of a process.

The etymological origin of 尽 provides fascinating insight into its meaning. This kanji is an ideograph, skillfully composed of two main components: 聿 (fude), which means 'brush' or 'pen,' and 皿 (sara), meaning 'dish' or 'vessel.' One common interpretation visualizes a hand holding a brush sweeping a dish clean. This imagery symbolizes the act of emptying or completely using up the contents. Another perspective sees 聿 as representing writing or recording, with 皿 signifying a container. In this view, 尽 means to 'write' or 'record' until the 'dish' (representing available space or material) is 'exhausted.' While the precise original scene may vary, the core connection to thoroughly clearing, completing, or consuming remains consistently strong in its modern usage.

Despite its relatively simple form with only 6 strokes, 尽 is a kanji rich in meaning. As an N1 level kanji, it's essential for advanced learners of Japanese, appearing in a wide array of sophisticated vocabulary and expressions. Its visual structure, with the brush component positioned above the dish, clearly reinforces the idea of an action being carried out to its absolute conclusion.

Readings

On'yomi (音読み) — Chinese-derived readings

The primary On'yomi for 尽 is ジン (JIN). You'll typically find this reading when 尽 forms part of a compound word, where it often conveys a sense of exhaustion, culmination, or utmost effort in more formal or abstract contexts.

• 尽力じんりょく (jinryoku) — effort, exertion. This term means to exert all one's strength or make every possible effort towards a goal. Example: プロジェクト成功のために尽力するプロジェクトせいこうのためにじんりょくする (to exert effort for the success of the project).
• 無尽蔵むじんぞう (mujin'zō) — inexhaustible, endless supply. This compound describes something that cannot be exhausted or depleted. Example: 彼の知識は無尽蔵だかれのちしきはむじんぞうだ (His knowledge is inexhaustible).
• 尽忠じんちゅう (jinchū) — loyalty, devotion to one's sovereign or cause. This term emphasizes giving one's complete loyalty. Example: 国に尽忠するくににじんちゅうする (to devote oneself loyally to one's country).

Kun'yomi (訓読み) — Native Japanese readings

The Kun'yomi readings of 尽 include verbs and nominal forms that often appear independently or with okurigana. These readings reflect native Japanese concepts of action and state, often emphasizing the active process of exhausting or dedicating.

• つくす (tsukusu) — This transitive verb means 'to exhaust,' 'to use up,' 'to run out of,' 'to devote oneself to,' 'to do one's best,' or 'to give one's utmost.' It's one of the most frequently used Kun'yomi.

• 力を尽くすちからをつくす (chikara o tsukusu) — to exert all one's strength.

• 最善を尽くすさいぜんをつくす (saizen o tsukusu) — to do one's utmost best.

• 恩を尽くすおんをつくす (on o tsukusu) — to repay kindness fully.

• つきる (tsukiru) — This intransitive verb means 'to be exhausted,' 'to run out,' 'to be used up,' or 'to come to an end.' This reading highlights a state of depletion or conclusion rather than an active effort.

• 燃料が尽きるねんりょうがつきる (nenryō ga tsukiru) — fuel runs out.

• 寿命が尽きるじゅみょうがつきる (jumyō ga tsukiru) — one's life comes to an end.

• 資源が尽きるしげんがつきる (shigen ga tsukiru) — resources are exhausted.

• つき (tsuki) — This is the nominal or continuative form of the verb, frequently appearing in compounds or as part of a verb phrase. While less common as a standalone noun, it's crucial for understanding conjugations and specific idiomatic expressions. For instance, in literary contexts, you might encounter phrases such as 身のつきみのつき referring to the end of one's life, or 春尽きてはるつきて indicating 'spring ending'.

Common Words & Compounds

Here are some common words and compounds featuring 尽, grouped by their thematic emphasis:

Effort & Dedication

• 尽力じんりょく (jinryoku) — effort, exertion. This term means to make every possible effort or exert all one's strength.
• 全力を尽くすぜんりょくをつくす (zenryoku o tsukusu) — to put forth one's best effort, to do one's utmost.
• 最善を尽くすさいぜんをつくす (saizen o tsukusu) — to do one's utmost best. This is a common phrase in business and daily life.
• 職務を尽くすしょくむをつくす (shokumu o tsukusu) — to fulfill one's duties.
• 身を尽くすみをつくす (mi o tsukusu) — to devote oneself (to something), to give one's life or entire being to a cause.

Exhaustion & Depletion

• 尽きるつきる (tsukiru) — to run out, be exhausted, come to an end (intransitive verb).
• 枯れ尽きるかれつきる (karetsukiru) — to dry up completely, to wither entirely.
• 無尽蔵むじんぞう (mujin'zō) — inexhaustible, endless supply.
• 万策尽きるばんさくつきる (bansaku tsukiru) — all measures have been exhausted, at one's wit's end. This idiom describes a situation where there are no more options.

Completion & Expression

• 言を尽くすげんをつくす (gen o tsukusu) — to express fully, to say all one can say.
• 春尽きてはるつきて (harutsukite) — (with spring) coming to an end, spring is over (often used in poetic or literary contexts).

Example Sentences

Memory Tip

To help remember 尽, visualize its two main components: 聿 (fude, brush) positioned above 皿 (sara, dish). Picture a meticulous artist or a chef using a brush to sweep every last bit of paint or sauce from a dish. This action vividly symbolizes 'exhausting' the contents, 'using up' everything, or 'devoting' oneself entirely until the dish is completely clean. The brush ensures that absolutely no part is left behind, emphasizing thoroughness and completion. So, when you think of 尽, remember the image of a 'brush cleaning a dish completely' to recall its core meanings of 'exhaust,' 'use up,' and 'devote.'