Meaning
The kanji 損 (son) primarily denotes "damage," "loss," "disadvantage," or "harm." This versatile character appears in many contexts, from physical damage and financial setbacks to personal detriment. Learning 損 is essential for comprehending Japanese, especially in business, economics, and daily conversations about consequences or outcomes.
Etymologically, 損 is a phono-semantic compound. It combines the radical 扌 (te-hen), meaning "hand" (which often indicates an action or manipulation), with the phonetic component 員 (in). While 員 typically means "member" or "employee," here it primarily lends its sound 'in' or 'on' (transformed into 'son' in Japanese). In older forms, 員 also carried a secondary connotation of "decrease" or "diminishment." The "hand" radical thus suggests an action that leads to a reduction or impairment. Picture a hand causing something to diminish or be taken away, resulting in a loss or damage.
Ultimately, the visual shape subtly reflects the idea of an action (hand) leading to a reduction or negative outcome. The kanji has 13 strokes and is classified as a Joyo kanji, typically learned at the secondary school level (Grade 9 equivalent) in Japan, highlighting its importance and frequent use in adult Japanese.
Readings
On'yomi (音読み) — Chinese-derived readings
The on'yomi of 損 is derived from its original Chinese pronunciation and is predominantly used when 損 is part of compound words.
ソン (SON): This is the primary on'yomi reading for 損, widely used in most compound words. It conveys the fundamental meanings of loss, damage, or disadvantage.
損失 (sonshitsu) — loss, damage (often financial or material)
損害 (songai) — damage, injury, harm (can be physical, financial, or reputational)
損益 (son'eki) — profit and loss (a common business term)
Kun'yomi (訓読み) — Native Japanese readings
The kun'yomi readings are native Japanese words associated with the kanji, often conveying the same meaning as the kanji itself when used alone or with okurigana (trailing hiragana).
そこなう (sokonau): This verb means "to harm," "to damage," "to injure," or "to impair." It implies a negative impact on something's state or function.
健康を損なう (kenkō o sokonau) — to harm one's health
品物を損なう (shinamono o sokonau) — to damage an article
そこねる (sokoneru): Similar to そこなう, this verb also means "to harm," "to damage," or "to spoil." It often implies that the damage is somewhat irreversible or that an item's quality has been significantly reduced. Notably, it can also express missing an opportunity, as in 機会を損ねる.
気分を損ねる (kibun o sokoneru) — to spoil someone's mood
機会を損ねる (kikai o sokoneru) — to miss an opportunity
Common Words & Compounds
The kanji 損 appears in a wide array of compound words, essential for understanding many aspects of Japanese, especially in finance, business, and daily conversations about advantages and disadvantages. Below, we categorize some of the most frequently encountered terms:
Financial & Business Terms
- 損益計算書 (son'eki keisansho) — profit and loss statement (P&L statement). This document is vital in accounting, showing a company's revenues and expenses over a period.
- 損害賠償 (songai baishō) — compensation for damages. This legal term refers to payments made to make amends for harm suffered.
- 大損 (ōzon) — a great loss, heavy loss. Often used informally to describe a significant financial setback or a big disadvantage.
- 損失補償 (sonshitsu hoshō) — compensation for losses. Similar to damage compensation but specifically for broader financial or material losses.
- 株の損切り (kabu no songiri) — cutting losses in stocks. A strategic move in trading to sell assets to prevent further loss.
- 赤字転落 (akaji tenraku) — falling into the red (loss). Describes a business moving from profit to a deficit.
General Damage & Disadvantage
- 損をする (son o suru) — to suffer a loss, to be at a disadvantage. This is a very common phrase in daily conversation, indicating a negative outcome for oneself.
- 損得 (sontoku) — loss and gain, advantage and disadvantage. This compound refers to weighing the pros and cons of a situation.
- 損壊 (sonkai) — damage, destruction. Primarily used for physical damage to structures, buildings, or machinery.
- 損気 (sonki) — a disadvantage, a loss of spirit or enthusiasm. Less common, but can imply a loss of motivation or morale.
- 損な役回り (son na yakumawari) — a thankless task, a losing role. Describes a situation where one is put in a disadvantageous or unrewarding position.
Verbs & Adjectives
- 損う (sokonau) — to harm, damage, injure. This verb is widely used to describe various forms of impairment, from health to reputation.
- 損る (sokoneru) — to harm, damage, spoil. Often used when missing an opportunity or spoiling someone's mood.
- 破損 (hason) — damage, breakage. Frequently seen on labels indicating damaged goods or in reports about broken items.
- 損傷 (sonshō) — damage, injury. A more formal term for damage, often used in medical or technical contexts.
Example Sentences
この取引で少し損をしてしまいました。
Kono torihiki de sukoshi son o shite shimaimashita.
I incurred a small loss in this transaction.
彼の発言は会社の信用を損ないかねない。
Kare no hatsugen wa kaisha no shin'yō o sokonaikanenai.
His remarks could damage the company's credibility.
地震により、多大な損害が発生しました。
Jishin ni yori, tadai na songai ga hassei shimashita.
Due to the earthquake, extensive damage occurred.
安物買いの銭失いとは、まさに損な話です。
Yasumonogai no zeniushinai to wa, masa ni son na hanashi desu.
Buying cheap things that end up being useless is truly a story of loss (false economy).
環境を損うことは、将来の世代に対する罪です。
Kankyō o sokonau koto wa, shōrai no sedai ni taisuru tsumi desu.
Damaging the environment is a crime against future generations.
彼はいつも自分の利益を考え、損得で判断します。
Kare wa itsumo jibun no rieki o kangae, sontoku de handan shimasu.
He always thinks about his own profit and judges based on gain or loss.
台風で家屋に甚大な損壊が出ました。
Taifū de kaoku ni jindai na sonkai ga demashita.
The typhoon caused extensive damage to houses.
一度失った信用を取り戻すのは大変な損です。
Ichido ushinatta shin'yō o torimodosu no wa taihen na son desu.
It is a great loss (disadvantage) to regain lost trust.
彼は些細な事で気分を損ねやすいです。
Kare wa sasai na koto de kibun o sokonesuyasui desu.
He tends to get his mood spoiled easily by trivial things.
Memory Tip
To remember 損, break it down into its components: 扌 (te-hen, the "hand" radical) and 員 (in), which means "member" or "employee." Picture a hand (扌) actively taking away from a group of "members" or a resource (represented phonetically by 員), leading to a "loss" or "damage." Alternatively, consider 員 as composed of 口 (mouth) and 貝 (shell/treasure). In this interpretation, the hand is taking away the 'treasure' or resources from a 'member' or the collective. This strong visual story of an action (hand) causing reduction or detriment helps firmly associate 損 with "loss" or "damage."