Meaning
The N1 kanji 搾 is a versatile character with primary meanings related to physical actions like squeezing, pressing, and wringing. For example, you might squeeze juice from fruit, wring water from a towel, or press oil from seeds. Beyond these literal interpretations, 搾 also extends metaphorically to extracting resources or even exploiting people, giving it a broader and deeper scope.
Here's a look at the structure of 搾. It is a 形声文字 (keisei moji), a phono-semantic character. The left side features the radical 扌 (tehen), which means 'hand.' This clearly indicates that the kanji involves actions performed with the hands. The right side, 窄 (sai, semai), means 'narrow' or 'tight.' While 窄 primarily acts as the phonetic component, it also subtly suggests the action of making something compact or reducing its volume through pressure. This aligns perfectly with the act of squeezing! Thus, 搾 cleverly combines 'hand' + 'narrow' to visually represent tightly squeezing something with your hands to extract its contents.
With 13 strokes, 搾 has a balanced yet intricate appearance. As an N1 kanji, it is not assigned to an elementary school grade level, reflecting its advanced usage in Japanese.
Readings
Like many Japanese kanji, 搾 has both Chinese-derived (On'yomi) and native Japanese (Kun'yomi) readings. Understanding their contexts is essential for mastering this character.
On'yomi (音読み) — Chinese-derived readings
The primary On'yomi for 搾 is サク (Saku). This reading is typically found in compound words, often in more formal or technical contexts, particularly when discussing extraction, compression, or exploitation.
- 搾取 (sakushu) — This means exploitation. It refers to taking unfair advantage of someone or something, often in an economic sense, such as labor exploitation.
- 搾乳 (sakunyuu) — This term means milking, specifically the act of extracting milk from an animal.
- 圧搾 (assaku) — Meaning compression or pressing. This compound is used in contexts like compressed air or pressing materials for industrial use.
Kun'yomi (訓読み) — Native Japanese readings
The Kun'yomi readings are deeply rooted in native Japanese vocabulary and are often used when the kanji stands alone or is part of a verb. For 搾, the main Kun'yomi is しぼる (shiboru) and its related noun form, しぼり (shibori).
搾る (shiboru) — This is a transitive verb meaning to squeeze, wring, press, or extract. It's used in a wide range of everyday situations.
ジュースを搾る (juusu wo shiboru) — to squeeze juice
タオルを搾る (taoru wo shiboru) — to wring a towel
知恵を搾る (chie wo shiboru) — to rack one's brains (literally 'squeeze out wisdom')
搾り (shibori) — This is the noun form, often referring to squeezing or something that has been squeezed. It can also refer to a tie-dyeing technique called shibori.
搾りたて (shiboritake) — freshly squeezed (e.g., freshly squeezed juice)
搾り汁 (shiborijiru) — squeezed juice or extract
Common Words & Compounds
Here are some common words and compounds using 搾. These examples demonstrate the kanji's application in various practical contexts, from everyday actions to specialized fields.
- 搾る (shiboru) — The basic verb: to squeeze, wring, press, extract.
- 搾り取る (shibori toru) — To wring out, to extort, to squeeze out (e.g., money or information).
- 搾り出す (shibori dasu) — To squeeze out, to force out, to bring forth (e.g., a voice, tears, or an idea).
- 搾取 (sakushu) — Exploitation, extorting. This is a very common and important compound for the On'yomi reading.
- 搾取者 (sakushusha) — An exploiter, someone who engages in exploitation.
- 搾乳 (sakunyuu) — Milking (the act of).
- 搾乳器 (sakunyuuki) — A milking machine or breast pump.
- 搾油 (sakuyu) — Oil pressing, oil extraction.
- 圧搾 (assaku) — Compression, pressing. Often used in scientific or industrial contexts.
- 圧搾空気 (assaku kuuki) — Compressed air.
- 原油搾取 (genyu sakushu) — Crude oil extraction.
- 手で搾る (te de shiboru) — To squeeze by hand.
- 搾り粕 (shiborikasu) — Dregs, residue (after squeezing).
Example Sentences
レモンからジュースを搾る。
Remon kara juusu wo shiboru.
I squeeze juice from lemons.
濡れたタオルをしっかり搾ってください。
Nureta taoru wo shikkari shibotte kudasai.
Please wring the wet towel thoroughly.
その会社は従業員を搾取していると非難されている。
Sono kaisha wa juugyōin wo sakushu shiteiru to hinan sareteiru.
That company is accused of exploiting its employees.
新鮮なオレンジを搾ってジュースを作った。
Shinsen na orenji wo shibotte juusu wo tsukutta.
I squeezed fresh oranges to make juice.
搾乳は早朝に行われるのが一般的です。
Sakunyuu wa sōchō ni okonawareru no ga ippanteki desu.
Milking is generally carried out in the early morning.
彼は知恵を搾り、その難問を解決した。
Kare wa chie wo shibori, sono nanmon wo kaiketsu shita.
He racked his brains and solved the difficult problem.
工場では圧搾空気が様々な用途に使われている。
Kōjō de wa assaku kūki ga samazama na yōto ni tsukawareteiru.
Compressed air is used for various purposes in factories.
子供が泣きながら、必死に声を搾り出した。
Kodomo ga nakinagara, hisshi ni koe wo shiboridashita.
The child, crying, desperately squeezed out a voice.
このオイルは独自の方法で搾油されています。
Kono oiru wa dokuji no hōhō de sakuyu sareteimasu.
This oil is extracted using a unique method.
Memory Tip
To remember 搾, focus on its components: 扌 (the 'hand' radical) and 窄 (which visually suggests 'narrow' or 'tight'). Picture yourself using your HANDS (扌) to make something very NARROW or tight (窄), like squeezing a wet sponge or a lemon. You're trying to extract every last drop by making it as compact as possible. Therefore, you can think: 'Use my HANDS to make it NARROW and SQUEEZE!' This helps solidify 搾's meaning of 'squeeze' or 'press'.