Meaning
The kanji 除 primarily means "remove," "exclude," "get rid of," or "eliminate." In a mathematical context, it can also signify "divide." It implies separating something or taking it away from a group or a state.
This character is composed of two parts. The left radical 阝 (which is actually 阜, meaning "hill" or "mound") is often associated with boundaries or divisions when it appears on the left side of a kanji. The right component is 余, meaning "more," "remaining," or "superfluous."
While 阝 often relates to geographical features, here it can suggest setting a boundary or indicating a shift. The right component 余 points to something extra or leftover. When combined, 除 visually represents moving something (that is extra or undesirable) away from a boundary or a defined space. This structure reinforces the idea of removing or excluding something that doesn't belong or is superfluous, emphasizing the act of making a clear distinction and taking something out. The kanji has 10 strokes and is a Jouyou Kanji, typically taught at a junior high or high school level, which aligns with its JLPT N2 placement.
Readings
On'yomi (音読み) — Chinese-derived readings
On'yomi readings are derived from Chinese pronunciations. They are typically used when the kanji is part of a compound word (熟語, じゅくご).
ジョ (JO) — This is the most common on'yomi for 除. It is frequently used in compounds related to removal, exclusion, or division.
除去 (jokyo) — removal, getting rid of
免除 (menjo) — exemption, remission
排除 (haijo) — exclusion, elimination
除夜 (joya) — New Year's Eve (lit. 'excluding night,' referring to the old year's final night)
除日 (jojitsu) — New Year's Eve (less common, similar to 除夜)
Kun'yomi (訓読み) — Native Japanese readings
Kun'yomi readings are native Japanese pronunciations associated with the kanji's meaning. They are often used when the kanji stands alone or is followed by okurigana (送り仮名, おくりがな).
のぞく (nozoku) — This is the primary kun'yomi, meaning "to remove," "to exclude," "to eliminate," or "to get rid of." It functions as an active verb and can be either transitive or intransitive.
取り除く (torinozoku) — to remove, to take away, to eliminate (a stronger sense of removing entirely)
誤解を除く (gokai o nozoku) — to clear up a misunderstanding
危険を除く (kiken o nozoku) — to remove danger
のぞける (nozokeru) — This is a transitive verb meaning "to remove (something)," "to put aside," or "to clear away." It often implies physically moving an object out of the way. While のぞく can also be transitive, のぞける emphasizes the direct action of an agent on an object.
邪魔なものを除ける (jama na mono o nozokeru) — to remove an obstacle
埃を除ける (hokori o nozokeru) — to dust, to remove dust
Common Words & Compounds
Here are some common words and compounds using the kanji 除, organized by theme to illustrate its varied applications.
- Words related to Removal/Exclusion:
- 除去 (jokyo) — removal, getting rid of. Example: ごみ除去 (ごみじょきょ) - garbage disposal.
- 排除 (haijo) — exclusion, elimination, expulsion. Example: ウイルス排除 (ウイルスはいじょ) - virus elimination.
- 除外 (jogai) — exclusion, exception. Example: 一部除外 (いちぶじょがい) - partial exclusion.
- 削除 (sakujo) — deletion, striking out. Example: 文章削除 (ぶんしょうさくじょ) - text deletion.
- 解除 (kaijo) — cancellation, release, lifting (a ban). Example: ロック解除 (ロックかいじょ) - unlocking.
- Words related to Exemption/Abatement:
- 免除 (menjo) — exemption, remission. Example: 税金免除 (ぜいきんめんじょ) - tax exemption.
- 除雪 (josetsu) — snow removal. Example: 除雪作業 (じょせつさぎょう) - snow removal work.
- 除湿 (joshitsu) — dehumidification. Example: 除湿機 (じょしつき) - dehumidifier.
- Words related to Time/Events:
- 除夜 (joya) — New Year's Eve. Example: 除夜の鐘 (じょやのかね) - New Year's Eve bells.
- Words related to Mathematics:
- 除算 (jozan) — division (mathematics). Example: 除算問題 (じょざんもんだい) - division problem.
- 除法 (johō) — method of division (e.g., long division).
Example Sentences
この部屋から不要なものを取り除いてください。
Kono heya kara fuyō na mono o torinozoite kudasai.
Please remove unnecessary items from this room.
チームから彼を除外するべきではない。
Chīmu kara kare o jogai suru beki de wa nai.
You should not exclude him from the team.
税金が一部免除されたので、助かりました。
Zeikin ga ichibu menjo sareta node, tasukarimashita.
I was relieved because part of the tax was exempted.
ウェブサイトから古い情報を削除しました。
Uebusaito kara furui jōhō o sakujo shimashita.
I deleted the old information from the website.
誤解を除くために、もっと話し合うべきだ。
Gokai o nozoku tame ni, motto hanashiau beki da.
We should discuss more to clear up the misunderstanding.
冬の朝は、毎日車の雪を除くのが大変だ。
Fuyu no asa wa, mainichi kuruma no yuki o nozoku no ga taihen da.
On winter mornings, removing snow from the car every day is tough.
彼は危険人物として徹底的に排除された。
Kare wa kiken jinbutsu to shite tetteiteki ni haijo sareta.
He was completely excluded as a dangerous individual.
契約の解除には条件があります。
Keiyaku no kaijo ni wa jōken ga arimasu.
There are conditions for contract cancellation.
除湿機を使って、部屋の湿気を取り除きます。
Joshitsuki o tsukatte, heya no shikke o torinozokimasu.
I'll use a dehumidifier to remove the moisture from the room.
Memory Tip
To remember 除, consider its components: the left part 阝 (hill/mound) and the right part 余 (remaining/superfluous). Imagine standing at the foot of a hill (阝), where some superfluous (余) rocks are blocking your path. You need to remove them to clear the way. This visual story connects the components to the core meaning of "remove" or "exclude," making the act of clearing obstacles a powerful mnemonic for 除.