Meaning
設 means to establish, set up, install, or found. The core idea is deliberate arrangement — putting something into place on purpose. Found a company, draw up a blueprint, configure an app: all of these actions fall under this kanji's umbrella.
The verb 設ける (moukeru) nails the nuance. You're not passively allowing something to happen — you're actively creating conditions for it to exist. That intentional quality distinguishes 設 from looser words for placement.
Etymologically, 設 pairs 言 (ごんべん, the speech radical) on the left with 殳 (a component linked to wielding a tool) on the right. The original image was someone issuing verbal orders that set something in motion. Over centuries the meaning broadened from spoken command to any act of physical or organizational establishment.
設 has 11 strokes and is taught in Grade 5 elementary school in Japan. Its radical is 言 (げん・ごん). Expect to meet it in construction reports, software menus, legislation, and engineering documents.
Readings
On'yomi (音読み) — Chinese-derived readings
The on'yomi セツ appears in virtually every compound form of this kanji. It's the reading you'll use most in written Japanese, especially in technical and formal contexts.
- 設備 (setsubi) — equipment, facilities, installations
- 設計 (sekkei) — design, planning, blueprint (note: セツ becomes せっ before k)
- 設定 (settei) — setting, configuration, setup (ubiquitous in tech and software)
- 設置 (secchi) — installation; placing a device or establishing an official body
- 設立 (setsuritsu) — founding, incorporation of an organization
- 設問 (setsumon) — a posed question or problem (in exams or surveys)
When セツ precedes a voiceless consonant (k or t), the vowel drops and the consonant doubles: せっ. That explains 設計 (せっけい) and 設置 (せっち). It's a standard phonological pattern throughout Sino-Japanese compounds, not specific to 設.
Kun'yomi (訓読み) — Native Japanese readings
The kun'yomi is もう.ける (moukeru), a native Japanese verb meaning to establish, set up, or make provisions for something. The dot marks where okurigana begins — the inflectional ending (ける) is written in kana while the kanji carries the stem.
- 設ける (moukeru) — to establish, to set up, to institute (a rule, a place, an opportunity)
- 設け (mouke) — an arrangement or provision (noun derived from the verb)
もう.ける is less common than セツ in everyday writing, but it turns up in legal texts and formal announcements. 場を設ける — "to create a forum or opportunity" — is a phrase worth memorizing.
Common Words & Compounds
The compounds below cover the most useful 設 vocabulary at N2 level, grouped by theme.
Facilities & Infrastructure
- 設備 (setsubi) — equipment, facilities; physical installations in a building or system
- 施設 (shisetsu) — facility, institution (e.g., 福祉施設: welfare facility)
- 設置 (secchi) — installation; placing a device or establishing an official body
- 仮設 (kasetsu) — temporary installation (e.g., 仮設住宅: temporary housing after a disaster)
Planning & Design
- 設計 (sekkei) — design, blueprint; the planning stage of construction or engineering
- 設計図 (sekkei-zu) — blueprint, design drawing
- 設定 (settei) — configuration, settings; standard in software, games, and systems
- 設問 (setsumon) — a posed question on an exam or in a questionnaire
Founding & Organization
- 設立 (setsuritsu) — establishment, founding (of a company, school, or institution)
- 建設 (kensetsu) — construction; building of infrastructure or structures
- 設営 (setsuei) — setting up an event, camp, or venue
- 創設 (sousetsu) — founding from scratch; creation of something entirely new
Rules & Provisions
- 設ける (moukeru) — to establish, to institute (a rule, a venue, or an opportunity)
- 特設 (tokusetsu) — specially created; a section or venue set up for a specific purpose
Example Sentences
この学校は１００年前に設立されました。
Kono gakkou wa hyaku-nen mae ni setsuritsu saremashita.
This school was founded 100 years ago.
新しい規則を設ける必要があります。
Atarashii kisoku wo moukeru hitsuyou ga arimasu.
We need to put new rules in place.
建物の設計はもう完成しましたか。
Tatemono no sekkei wa mou kansei shimashita ka.
Has the building design been finalized?
このアプリの設定を変えたいのですが、どうすればいいですか。
Kono apuri no settei wo kaetai no desu ga, dou sureba ii desu ka.
I want to change this app's settings — how do I do that?
市内に新しい医療施設が設置される予定です。
Shinai ni atarashii iryou shisetsu ga secchi sareru yotei desu.
A new medical facility is planned for the city.
工場の設備を最新のものに更新しました。
Koujou no setsubi wo saishin no mono ni koushin shimashita.
We upgraded the factory's equipment to the latest models.
試験の設問は難しすぎると思います。
Shiken no setsumon wa muzukashisugiru to omoimasu.
I think the exam questions are too difficult.
地震の後、被災者のために仮設住宅が設けられた。
Jishin no ato, hisaisha no tame ni kasetsu juutaku ga moukerareta.
After the earthquake, temporary housing was set up for disaster victims.
この会社は建設業を専門としています。
Kono kaisha wa kensetsu-gyou wo senmon to shite imasu.
This company specializes in construction.
話し合いの場を設けることで、問題を解決できると信じています。
Hanashiai no ba wo moukeru koto de, mondai wo kaiketsu dekiru to shinjite imasu.
Creating a space for open dialogue, I believe, is how we solve this.
Memory Tip
Picture a general barking orders (言 = speech, left side) while soldiers use a tool (殳, right side) to pitch a tent. Words become structure — that's 設. Founding a company (設立), designing a bridge (設計), configuring your phone (設定): in each case, someone decided to make something exist, and then made it happen.