Meaning
The kanji 荷 (ni, ka) primarily means a load, cargo, baggage, or parcel. It refers to anything carried, transported, or borne, whether physically or metaphorically. In a broader sense, it can also refer to a burden or a responsibility that one carries.
荷 is a 形声字 (keisei moji), or a phono-semantic compound kanji. It combines two main components: the radical 艹 (くさかんむり), representing “grass” or “plant,” at the top, and 何 (なん) at the bottom. 何 acts as the phonetic component and also subtly hints at carrying or bearing. The original character 何 itself historically had a meaning related to carrying something on one's shoulders or back.
The addition of the grass radical 艹 likely specified carrying bundles of plants or natural produce initially. Alternatively, it might have simply reinforced the idea of a physical item being carried. Over time, its meaning broadened to encompass any kind of load, parcel, or cargo.
Visually, the top component 艹 suggests something natural or bundled, perhaps goods derived from nature or items tied together. The bottom component 何 provides the sound and reinforces the concept of bearing or carrying. Together, they form a character that clearly represents the act or state of carrying a load. With 10 strokes, 荷 is taught in Grade 3 of Japanese elementary school, making it a common and essential character for daily use.
Readings
On'yomi (音読み) — Chinese-derived readings
The On'yomi reading for 荷 is カ (ka). This reading comes from Chinese and appears in more formal compound words. These often relate to abstract concepts like load or capacity, or specific logistical terms for cargo movement.
- 負荷 (fuka) — load, burden. This term is frequently used in technical contexts (e.g., electrical load, system load) or for mental burdens.
例：コンピューターに大きな負荷がかかっている。(The computer is under a heavy load.)
- 積荷 (sekika) — cargo, freight. This specifically refers to goods loaded onto a ship, train, or vehicle for transport. Note that 積荷 can also be read as つみに (tsumini) using the Kun'yomi reading.
例：船の積荷は港で下ろされた。(The ship's cargo was unloaded at the port.)
- 出荷 (shukka) — shipment, forwarding. This refers to sending goods out from a factory, warehouse, or store.
例：今日の出荷はすべて完了しました。(All shipments for today have been completed.)
Kun'yomi (訓読み) — Native Japanese readings
The most common Kun'yomi reading for 荷 is に (ni). This versatile reading conveys the general sense of "load," "baggage," "parcel," or "burden" in everyday Japanese. You'll often find it used alone or in compound words related to personal items or physical goods.
- 荷物 (nimotsu) — luggage, baggage, parcel. This is one of the most common words using 荷, referring to personal belongings or packages.
例：駅で荷物を預けました。(I left my luggage at the station.)
- 重荷 (omoni) — heavy burden, load. Often used metaphorically for responsibilities or difficulties.
例：その仕事は彼にとって重荷だった。(That job was a heavy burden for him.)
- 荷造り (nizukuri) — packing (luggage, goods). The act of preparing items for transport or storage.
例：引越しのために荷造りをしています。(I'm packing for the move.)
Common Words & Compounds
Below are more common words and compounds featuring the kanji 荷, categorized to help with learning:
General Baggage & Parcels:
荷物 (nimotsu) — luggage, baggage, parcel, package. This is arguably the most essential word using 荷.
手荷物 (tenimotsu) — hand luggage, carry-on baggage. Items carried personally.
宅配便 (takuhaibin) — home delivery service (for parcels). This is a common and convenient service across Japan.
小荷物 (konimotsu) — a small parcel, package.
Shipping & Logistics:
出荷 (shukka) — shipment, forwarding (of goods from a factory or warehouse).
荷受 (niuke) — receipt of goods, consignee. The act of receiving a shipment.
積荷 (tsumini) — cargo, freight (goods loaded onto a vehicle or ship). This Kun'yomi reading refers to the same concept as せきか.
荷揚げ (niage) — unloading (cargo from a ship or vehicle).
Physical Carrying & Containers:
荷台 (nidai) — (truck) bed, cargo platform. The part of a vehicle where cargo is placed.
荷車 (niguruma) — cart, handcart. A small vehicle for carrying goods.
荷造り (nizukuri) — packing (luggage/goods). The process of preparing items for transport.
Figurative Meaning (Burden/Responsibility):
重荷 (omoni) — heavy burden, load (often used metaphorically for responsibilities or emotional stress).
負荷 (fuka) — load, burden (e.g., a workload, electrical load, or mental strain).
荷が下りる (niga oriru) — a burden is lifted, to be relieved of a responsibility.
Example Sentences
この荷物はとても重いです。
Kono nimotsu wa totemo omoi desu.
This luggage is very heavy.
郵便局で荷物を送りました。
Yūbinkyoku de nimotsu wo okurimashita.
I sent a parcel at the post office.
来週、商品を出荷する予定です。
Raishū, shōhin wo shukka suru yotei desu.
We plan to ship the products next week.
彼は家族の重荷を背負っています。
Kare wa kazoku no omoni wo seotteimasu.
He carries the heavy burden of his family.
港で積荷が降ろされるのを待った。
Minato de tsumini ga orosareru no wo matta.
We waited for the cargo to be unloaded at the port.
このコンピューターシステムは負荷が高すぎます。
Kono konpyūtā shisutemu wa fuka ga takasugimasu.
This computer system is experiencing too high a load.
引越しの荷造りは時間がかかります。
Hikkoshi no nizukuri wa jikan ga kakarimasu.
Packing for a move takes time.
ようやくその大きな荷が下りて、気持ちが楽になった。
Yōyaku sono ōkina ni ga orite, kimochi ga raku ni natta.
Finally, that big burden was lifted, and I felt relieved.
Memory Tip
To remember the kanji 荷, think of its two components: the top part 艹 (kusa-kanmuri), representing "grass" or "plants," and the bottom part 何 (nan), which means "what." You can create a story: Imagine you're in a field, and someone hands you a huge bundle of grass (艹). It's incredibly heavy, and you exclaim, "What (何) a heavy load (荷) this is!" This mnemonic helps you connect the visual components and phonetic hint of 荷 to its core meaning of a burden or cargo.