Meaning
The kanji 栓 (せん) means 'stopper,' 'plug,' 'cork,' and also 'faucet' or 'tap.' Essentially, it refers to any object used to close an opening, especially to control or block the flow of liquids or gases. This character beautifully illustrates how a kanji's components can hint at its original meaning and context.
栓 is a phono-semantic compound. This means one part suggests the meaning, while the other indicates the sound. Let's look at its elements:
木 (き, きへん): This left-hand radical, meaning 'tree' or 'wood,' points to the material. In the past, stoppers, plugs, and simple taps were often made of wood. It was readily available and easy to shape. So, this radical clearly indicates the common material for such devices.
泉 (せん): This right-hand component is a slightly simplified form of 泉, meaning 'spring' or 'fountain.' It primarily acts as the phonetic guide, giving 栓 its On'yomi reading 'sen.' But there's also a subtle connection to meaning. Springs and fountains are natural water sources. Controlling their outflow—for collection, irrigation, or containment—often requires a plug or tap. This hints at a wooden device (木) used to manage water from a source (泉).
Thus, we can initially understand 栓 as a 'wooden (木) device for a spring (泉) or an opening'—essentially a 'wooden plug' or 'wooden tap.' Over centuries, as materials and technology advanced, the meaning of 栓 expanded. It now includes stoppers, corks, and faucets made from rubber, metal, plastic, and other materials, while still keeping its original character form. This 10-stroke kanji is a Jōyō kanji, meaning it's designated for general use. For JLPT learners, 栓 is typically an N1 kanji, reflecting its specific yet common use in various situations.
Readings
On'yomi (音読み) — Chinese-derived readings
The On'yomi, or Chinese-derived readings, for 栓 are important when encountering it in compound words.
**セン (SEN)**: This is the primary—and almost exclusive—On'yomi for 栓, used in most compound words where it appears.栓 (sen) — stopper, plug, cork
This is the standalone word for a plug or cork.
例: 瓶の栓を抜く。(Uncork a bottle.)
開栓 (kaisen) — uncorking, opening (a bottle)
This refers to the act of removing a stopper or opening a bottle.
例: このワインは開栓するまで新鮮です。(This wine is fresh until opened.)
消火栓 (shōkasen) — fire hydrant
A tap or valve specifically for firefighting purposes.
例: 消火栓の近くには駐車しないでください。(Please do not park near a fire hydrant.)
Kun'yomi (訓読み) — Native Japanese readings
Unlike many other kanji, 栓 doesn't have any common Kun'yomi (native Japanese readings) when used alone. It's almost exclusively found in compound words, where its On'yomi (セン) is used. This is common for kanji that entered Japanese mainly as parts of technical or specific vocabulary, rather than as standalone, everyday native words. Therefore, when you see 栓 by itself, it is almost always read as 「せん」.
Common Words & Compounds
The kanji 栓 is almost exclusively used in compound words. In these contexts, its meaning of 'stopper,' 'plug,' or 'faucet' becomes very specific. Learning these compounds is key to understanding 栓, as its standalone usage is mostly limited to the noun '栓' (sen) itself.
General Stoppers & Plugs: These compounds refer to various devices used to seal openings.
栓 (sen) — stopper, plug, cork
This is the most direct application, referring to a general sealing device for bottles, drains, or other openings. It's often encountered in everyday phrases like putting a cork in a wine bottle.王冠栓 (ōkan-sen) — crown cap (for bottles)
Specifically denotes the crimped metal caps commonly found on glass bottles for beverages like beer or soda, resembling a small crown.ゴム栓 (gomu sen) — rubber stopper
A stopper made from rubber, frequently used in scientific laboratories to seal test tubes or flasks, or in domestic settings for sinks and bathtubs.耳栓 (mimisen) — earplug
A small plug inserted into the ear canal to protect against loud noise or water, for instance, while swimming or sleeping.栓抜き (sen-nuki) — bottle opener (for crown caps)
This is the dedicated tool for removing crown caps (王冠栓) from bottles.Faucets & Taps: These compounds relate to devices that control the flow of water or other liquids.
給水栓 (kyūsuisen) — water tap, watercock, water valve
Refers to a tap or valve specifically designed for supplying water, such as those found on external walls or in gardens.活栓 (kassen) — stopcock, faucet (often in medical/scientific contexts)
A more technical term for a valve that controls the flow of liquid or gas through a pipe, commonly used in laboratory equipment, medical devices, or industrial plumbing.水栓 (suisen) — faucet, tap (general term for water tap)
A broader, general term for a water faucet, applicable to kitchen sinks, bathrooms, etc., though sometimes 給水栓 is used for outdoor taps.混合栓 (kongōsen) — mixer tap (for hot and cold water)
A modern faucet that allows for the mixing of hot and cold water to achieve a desired temperature, prevalent in contemporary bathrooms and kitchens.Actions & States: These terms describe actions involving stoppers or the state of being sealed.
栓をする (sen o suru) — to put a stopper in, to cork, to plug up
This is the active process of inserting a stopper into an opening to seal it, for example, corking a bottle of wine.栓を抜く (sen o nuku) — to uncork, to remove a stopper
This refers to extracting a stopper from an opening, allowing the contents to be accessed or flow freely.開栓 (kaisen) — uncorking, opening (a bottle)
A formal term for removing a stopper, especially from a bottle. It's often seen on product labels or instructions.閉栓 (heisen) — closing (a tap, valve, or service connection)
This is the act of shutting off a tap or valve, or discontinuing a service like water or gas by closing the main valve.
Example Sentences
この瓶の栓が固くて開きません。
Kono bin no sen ga katakute akimasen.
The stopper of this bottle is too tight to open.
浴槽の栓をしてからお湯を張ってください。
Yokuso no sen o shite kara oyu o hatte kudasai.
Please plug the bathtub before filling it with hot water.
水道の栓をしっかり閉めて、水漏れがないか確認してください。
Suidō no sen o shikkari shimete, mizumore ga nai ka kakunin shite kudasai.
Please close the water tap tightly and check for any water leaks.
新しい耳栓を買ったので、夜はぐっすり眠れます。
Atarashii mimisen o katta node, yoru wa gussuri nemuremasu.
I bought new earplugs, so I can sleep soundly at night.
消火栓は緊急時に非常に重要な設備です。
Shōkasen wa kinkyuuji ni hijō ni jūyō na setsubi desu.
Fire hydrants are extremely important equipment in emergencies.
この部屋には混合栓が付いているので、お湯の温度が調整できます。
Kono heya ni wa kongōsen ga tsuite iru node, oyu no ondo ga chōsei dekimasu.
This room has a mixer tap, so you can adjust the hot water temperature.
ワインの栓を抜くには、専用の道具が必要です。
Wain no sen o nuku ni wa, senyō no dōgu ga hitsuyō desu.
A special tool is required to uncork wine.
開栓後は、できるだけ早めに消費してください。
Kaisen-go wa, dekiru dake hayame ni shōhi shite kudasai.
Please consume as soon as possible after opening (uncorking).
Memory Tip
To remember 栓, visualize its components: 木 (wood) on the left and 泉 (spring/fountain, slightly simplified) on the right. Imagine a natural spring (泉) that someone has stoppered with a piece of wood (木). This wooden plug is the 'stopper' or 'faucet' (栓) that controls the flow of water from the spring. Alternatively, think of a wooden plug inserted into a hole to prevent water from a spring from escaping, or as a wooden tap to dispense spring water. This connection between the material (wood) and a water source requiring control helps make the meaning of 'plug' or 'tap' clear.