Meaning
The kanji 稼 (かせぐ) primarily means "to earn," "to work for a living," or "to make money." It strongly conveys the idea of laboring to support oneself or one's family, often through a profession or dedicated effort. This kanji is closely associated with the concept of generating income or providing sustenance through diligent work and one's occupation. It implies actively engaging in an activity that yields financial or material gain.
Its etymology provides clear insight into this meaning. 稼 is a phono-semantic compound, meaning it combines a semantic component (radical) that suggests its general meaning with a phonetic component that suggests its pronunciation. The left-hand radical is 禾 (のぎへん - nogihen), which literally depicts a grain or rice plant. This radical is commonly associated with agriculture, harvest, and sustenance. It symbolizes the fundamental act of cultivating to live, representing the fruits of labor from the land.
The right-hand component is 家 (いえ - ie), meaning "house" or "home." While 家 also contributes to the 'ka' sound in some readings, its semantic contribution here is significant. When 禾 (sustenance/labor) combines with 家 (house/family), the resulting meaning powerfully illustrates the act of "working to bring sustenance to the house" or "earning a living to support the family." This represents the essential effort needed to maintain a household and provide for its inhabitants, ensuring their well-being and stability.
Visually, one can imagine bringing harvested grains (禾) back to one's home (家) after a day of hard labor, symbolizing the act of earning. The kanji 稼 has 15 strokes. It is a Jōyō kanji (常用漢字) typically learned in secondary school (corresponding to Grade S) and is an N1-level kanji in the JLPT framework. Its intricate structure reflects its comprehensive meaning, encompassing both labor and livelihood, and highlighting its importance in daily life and economic activities.
Readings
The kanji 稼 has distinct On'yomi (Chinese-derived) and Kun'yomi (native Japanese) readings. Each is used in different contexts, conveying slightly nuanced meanings related to earning and working.
On'yomi (音読み) — Chinese-derived readings
The main On'yomi for 稼 is カ (ka). This reading typically appears when 稼 is part of a compound word, combined with other kanji to form more specific terms related to work, operation, and the process of earning. It often reflects the more formal or technical aspects of the kanji's meaning, frequently appearing in business, industrial, or economic terminology.
稼働 (kadō) — This compound refers to the operation or work of machinery, facilities, or even systems. It emphasizes the active state of working, functioning, or being in service, often in an industrial or commercial setting. For example, a factory might have its production lines in
稼働(operation).稼業 (kagyō) — Meaning occupation, trade, or business, this word refers to one's established means of livelihood or profession. It highlights the specific line of work one is engaged in to earn money, such as a family
稼業(business) passed down through generations.稼働率 (kadōritsu) — This term signifies the operating rate or utilization rate. It is commonly used in industrial or business contexts to measure how efficiently resources, equipment, or personnel are being used relative to their full capacity, reflecting productivity. For instance, a high
稼働率indicates efficient use of manufacturing resources.
Kun'yomi (訓読み) — Native Japanese readings
The primary Kun'yomi for 稼 is かせ-ぐ (kasegu). This reading is used for the native Japanese verb "to earn" or "to make money," and its related noun forms. It directly expresses the action of working to gain income or support oneself, making it a very common and practical reading used in everyday conversational and written Japanese.
稼ぐ (kasegu) — This is the base verb meaning "to earn (money)," "to make a living," or "to work for a living." It is used when referring to the direct act of performing labor, skills, or services to acquire funds or resources, such as
お金を稼ぐ(okane o kasegu - to earn money).稼ぎ (kasegi) — As a noun, this refers to "earnings" or "income." It can also refer to the act of earning itself. For example,
今日の稼ぎ(kyō no kasegi) means "today's earnings," reflecting the total amount of money made.稼ぎ時 (kasegidoki) — This compound means "a time to earn money" or a "busy season." It implies a period when one can expect to make substantial earnings due to high demand, specific opportunities, or peak business activity. For example, a souvenir shop experiences
稼ぎ時during tourist season.
Common Words & Compounds
The kanji 稼 appears in many practical compound words, reflecting its broad application in contexts related to work, income, and livelihood. Understanding these compounds is essential for mastering its usage and appreciating the nuances of Japanese vocabulary.
Work & Operation
- 稼働 (kadō) — operation; actual work; being in motion or functioning. This term is crucial in manufacturing and tech industries.
Example: 工場は24時間稼働している。 (Kōjō wa nijūyon-jikan kadō shiteiru.) — The factory is operating 24 hours a day.
- 稼働率 (kadōritsu) — operating rate; utilization rate; the percentage of time a machine or system is in use. A high rate indicates efficiency.
Example: 新型機の導入により、稼働率が向上した。 (Shingataki no dōnyū ni yori, kadōritsu ga kōjō shita.) — The operating rate improved with the introduction of new machines.
- フル稼働 (furu kadō) — full operation; working at maximum capacity. This term describes factories or systems running non-stop due to high demand.
Example: 注文が多くて、工場はフル稼働している。 (Chūmon ga ōkute, kōjō wa furu kadō shiteiru.) — Due to many orders, the factory is in full operation.
Earning & Livelihood
- 稼業 (kagyō) — occupation; trade; business; one's means of earning a living. This refers to the specific field or type of work someone does, often implying a long-term profession.
Example: 家業を継ぐために、地元に戻った。 (Kagyō wo tsugu tame ni, jimoto ni modotta.) — I returned to my hometown to take over the family business.
- 稼ぎ (kasegi) — earnings; income; the money one has earned. Can also refer to the act of earning itself. It's a core concept in personal finance.
Example: 今月の稼ぎは目標額を超えた。 (Kongetsu no kasegi wa mokuhyōgaku wo koeta.) — This month's earnings exceeded the target amount.
- 稼ぐ (kasegu) — to earn (money); to make a living; to work for a living. This is the most direct verbal usage and is widely applicable.
Example: 彼は家族のために一生懸命稼ぐ。 (Kare wa kazoku no tame ni isshōkenmei kasegu.) — He works hard to earn money for his family.
- 出稼ぎ (dekasegi) — working away from home; seasonal work; migration for work. This term describes leaving one's home area to work elsewhere, often for a specific period to send money back to their family.
Example: 冬の間、彼は都会へ出稼ぎに行っていた。 (Fuyu no aida, kare wa tokai e dekasegi ni itteita.) — During the winter, he went to the city for seasonal work.
- 稼ぎ頭 (kasegigashira) — the main earner; the breadwinner; the chief income producer. This person supports the family financially.
Example: 彼女が家族の稼ぎ頭だ。 (Kanojo ga kazoku no kasegigashira da.) — She is the breadwinner of the family.
- 稼ぎ口 (kasegiguchi) — means of earning a living; a source of income. This refers to the actual opportunity or place where one can earn money.
Example: 新しい稼ぎ口を探している。 (Atarashii kasegiguchi wo sagashiteiru.) — I am looking for a new source of income.
- 稼ぎ時 (kasegidoki) — prime earning season; a period when one can earn a lot of money. It’s an opportune time for business.
Example: 夏は観光地にとって稼ぎ時だ。 (Natsu wa kankōchi ni totte kasegidoki da.) — Summer is prime earning season for tourist spots.
Example Sentences
彼は家族を養うために一生懸命に稼いでいる。
Kare wa kazoku wo yashinau tame ni isshōkenmei ni kaseideiru.
He is working hard to earn a living to support his family.
この機械は24時間フル稼働している。
Kono kikai wa nijūyon-jikan furu kadō shiteiru.
This machine is operating at full capacity 24 hours a day.
彼の稼業は地域の経済に貢献している。
Kare no kagyō wa chiiki no keizai ni kōken shiteiru.
His business contributes to the local economy.
学生たちは学費を稼ぐためにアルバイトをしている。
Gakusei-tachi wa gakuhi wo kasegu tame ni arubaito wo shiteiru.
Students are working part-time to earn money for their tuition fees.
今日はたくさん稼げたので、気分が良かった。
Kyō wa takusan kasegeta node, kibun ga yokatta.
I was in a good mood today because I earned a lot.
彼女は海外へ出稼ぎに行くことを決心した。
Kanojo wa kaigai e dekasegi ni iku koto wo kesshin shita.
She decided to go abroad for work.
会社は生産性を上げるために稼働率の改善を目指している
Kaisha wa seisansei wo ageru tame ni kadōritsu no kaizen wo mezashiteiru.
The company aims to improve its operating rate to increase productivity.
この季節は観光業にとって稼ぎ時だ。
Kono kisetsu wa kankōgyō ni totte kasegidoki da.
This season is prime earning time for the tourism industry.
若いうちは経験を積みながら大いに稼ぐべきだ。
Wakai uchi wa keiken wo tsuminagara ōi ni kasegu beki da.
While young, one should gain experience and earn a lot.
彼が家族の稼ぎ頭として長年奮闘してきた。
Kare ga kazoku no kasegigashira to shite naganen funtō shite kita.
He has struggled for many years as the breadwinner of his family.
Memory Tip
To remember 稼, visualize its components: 禾 (grain/rice plant) and 家 (house/home). Think of it as "bringing the grain (禾) to the house (家)" to earn a living. This kanji tells a clear story: for a house or family to thrive, one must labor diligently—perhaps in the fields, symbolized by grain/harvest—to earn sustenance and money. Therefore, 禾 (sustenance through work and effort) + 家 (for the home and family) = 稼 (to earn, to make a living). This visual mnemonic highlights the universal human effort of providing for one's dwelling and loved ones through hard work and dedication.