Meaning
The kanji 札 (fuda/satsu) refers to a "tag," "card," "token," or a "bill" (as in banknotes). Its origin links it closely to everyday objects used for identification or exchange. Understanding its roots helps clarify its diverse modern uses.
Etymologically, 札 is a semantic-phonetic compound, yet its structure is remarkably straightforward and visually intuitive. It combines the radical 木 (ki), meaning "tree" or "wood," with 乚. This second component acts as a phonetic element and also visually suggests a "hook" or "something thin and bent."
Historically, tags and labels were frequently crafted from thin pieces of wood or bamboo. Picture a small wooden plank (木) that you could hang or attach, hinted at by the hooked component 乚. This image perfectly encapsulates the original idea of a tag or label. As paper grew more common, the meaning of 札 expanded to include paper tags, cards, and eventually paper money. This natural evolution from wooden tags to paper currency reflects how societies adapted their methods of marking and exchange.
The character's visual shape, with its clear 木 radical, provides an immediate clue to its origins in natural materials. With just five strokes, 札 is relatively simple to write: first the three strokes for 木, then the two strokes forming the "乚" shape on the right, which slightly overlaps 木's horizontal stroke. Despite its simplicity, this kanji has broad applications in Japanese vocabulary, ranging from everyday labels to significant financial terms. Grasping the connection between its wooden origin and modern uses is key to understanding 札's essence.
札 is a Kyōiku kanji, taught in Japanese elementary schools (specifically in the 4th grade). This highlights its fundamental importance for native speakers. For Japanese language learners, it's an N2 level kanji in the JLPT system, signifying its essential status for intermediate-level proficiency.
Readings
On'yomi (音読み) — Chinese-derived readings
The On'yomi reading of 札, derived from Chinese pronunciations, is primarily used in compound words. You'll often encounter it in more formal or abstract contexts, particularly when referring to currency.
サツ (Satsu) — This is the most common On'yomi reading for 札. It frequently refers to banknotes or specific types of cards and tickets. Remember to distinguish it from coins (硬貨, こうか).
一万円札 (ichiman-en satsu) — a 10,000 yen bill (literally "one ten thousand yen tag")
千円札 (sen-en satsu) — a 1,000 yen bill
紙幣 (shihei) — paper money, banknote (often used generally, while 札 focuses on the individual bill)
開札 (kaisatsu) — ticket gate (at a station), or the opening of bids (in an auction). Note that historically, this referred to collecting tickets, but now it primarily means passing through the gate.
Kun'yomi (訓読み) — Native Japanese readings
The Kun'yomi reading for 札 is native to Japanese. It's typically used when the kanji appears alone or with Okurigana (送り仮名) – hiragana suffixes that complete the word. This reading often refers to physical tags, cards, or labels for identification or information.
ふだ (fuda) — This is the primary Kun'yomi reading, referring to a general "tag," "card," "label," "charm," or "tally." It denotes a small, flat object used for marking, identification, or as a token. This reading emphasizes the physical object itself, often made of paper, wood, or plastic.
名札 (nafuda) — name tag, nameplate (common in schools and workplaces)
荷札 (nifuda) — baggage tag, luggage tag
木札 (kifuda) — wooden tag/plaque (directly reflecting the kanji's origin, often used for charms or commemoration)
値札 (nefuda) — price tag (found on merchandise)
お札 (ofuda) — a charm or talisman, often a paper or wooden tablet issued by a shrine or temple. This is a particularly common and culturally significant use of 札.
Common Words & Compounds
The kanji 札 appears in a wide array of compound words, reflecting its versatile meanings related to tags, cards, and money. Below are common examples, grouped by theme, to help you understand their contexts.
Money and Finance
- 一万円札 (ichiman-en satsu) — 10,000 yen bill (the largest Japanese banknote)
- 五千円札 (gosen-en satsu) — 5,000 yen bill
- 千円札 (sen-en satsu) — 1,000 yen bill (the smallest Japanese banknote)
- 紙幣 (shihei) — paper money, banknote (a more formal or general term for paper currency, encompassing all types of bills, whereas 札 often refers to individual denominations)
Tags and Labels
- 名札 (nafuda) — name tag, nameplate (worn by students, staff, etc., for identification)
- 値札 (nefuda) — price tag (attached to items for sale)
- 荷札 (nifuda) — baggage tag, luggage tag (used for identifying luggage, often at airports or during travel)
- 番札 (banfuda) — number tag, numbered ticket (used in various systems for queues or identification)
- 木札 (kifuda) — wooden tag/plaque (common at shrines, festivals, or for traditional crafts)
Cards and Tokens
- 絵札 (efuda) — picture card (especially in traditional Japanese card games like かるた)
- 花札 (hanafuda) — Japanese playing cards (a traditional card game, literally "flower cards")
- お札 (ofuda) — a charm or talisman (often from a shrine or temple, offering protection or blessings)
Related Concepts
- 開札 (kaisatsu) — ticket gate (at train stations), or the opening of bids (in an auction). While the specific meaning changes with context, it always relates to the core concept of a "tag" or "token."
As you can see, 札 covers a practical range of items, from identification to currency, highlighting its importance in daily life and commerce.
Example Sentences
この服にはまだ値札がついています。
Kono fuku ni wa mada nefuda ga tsuite imasu.
This clothing still has its price tag on it.
財布に千円札が一枚だけあります。
Saifu ni sen-en satsu ga ichimai dake arimasu.
There is only one 1,000 yen bill in my wallet.
名札をなくしたので、新しいのを作りました。
Nafuda o nakushita node, atarashii no o tsukurimashita.
I lost my name tag, so I made a new one.
神社で家内安全のお札を買いました。
Jinja de kanai-anzen no ofuda o kaimashita.
I bought a charm for household safety at the shrine.
旅行の時は、荷物に荷札をつけましょう。
Ryokō no toki wa, nimotsu ni nifuda o tsukemashō.
When traveling, let's attach a baggage tag to our luggage.
彼は財布から五千円札を数枚取り出しました。
Kare wa saifu kara gosen-en satsu o sūmai toridashimashita.
He took out several 5,000 yen bills from his wallet.
このイベントでは、入場のために特別な札が必要です。
Kono ibento de wa, nyūjō no tame ni tokubetsu na fuda ga hitsuyō desu.
For this event, a special token (card) is required for admission.
宝くじの札を一枚だけ買ってみました。
Takarakuji no fuda o ichimai dake katte mimashita.
I tried buying just one lottery ticket.
駅の開札を通って、ホームへ向かいます。
Eki no kaisatsu o tōtte, hōmu e mukaemasu.
I pass through the ticket gate at the station and head towards the platform.
Memory Tip
To remember 札, visualize its components: the radical 木 (ki, "tree" or "wood") and the phonetic component 乚, which visually resembles a "hook" or "bent line." Imagine a small, rectangular piece of wood (木) with a hook (乚) on it, ready to be hung up. This wooden piece is essentially a tag or label. You can think of it as a traditional wooden tag from ancient times, or even a small wooden charm (木札). This simple image directly connects the visual shape to its core meaning of "tag" or "card." From there, it's easy to extend the meaning to "banknote," as banknotes are essentially paper "tags" of value. This mnemonic effectively bridges the gap from 札's physical origin to its modern, more abstract uses.