Meaning
預 means to deposit, to entrust, and to leave something in someone's care. You hand something over; another person accepts responsibility for it. Most often you'll see it in financial contexts — bank deposits, ATM screens, passbooks — but the same idea applies whenever you leave something with someone: luggage at a station locker, a child at daycare, or important documents with a lawyer.
The character breaks into two parts. On the left is 予 (よ), meaning "beforehand" or "in advance." On the right is 頁 (おおがい), the "head" radical — an ancient depiction of a person with a prominent head, historically associated with authority. Together they suggest handing something over in advance, placing it under another person's authority. That is precisely what you do when you deposit money, check luggage, or leave a child in someone's care.
預 has 13 strokes and belongs to the Grade 8 Jōyō kanji set (secondary school level). Once you identify 予 on the left and 頁 on the right, the stroke order becomes manageable. The 頁 (おおがい) radical also appears in other kanji connected to the head and face, such as 頭 and 顔. In daily life, 預 shows up on ATM screens, hotel front desks, airport check-in counters, daycare sign-in sheets, and legal contracts.
Readings
On'yomi (音読み) — Chinese-derived readings
The on'yomi reading is ヨ (yo), used mainly in compound words (熟語, jukugo). Most ヨ-reading compounds are formal: financial, administrative, or legal. Open a bank account in Japan and you will see them immediately on official forms and ATM menus.
- 預金 (yokin) — bank deposit, savings
- 預金者 (yokinsha) — depositor, account holder
- 定期預金 (teiki yokin) — time deposit, fixed-term savings
- 普通預金 (futsū yokin) — ordinary savings account
- 預金残高 (yokin zandaka) — account balance
預金通帳 (yokin tsūchō), the bank passbook, is something most Japanese adults carry. Recognising these compounds on sight is a practical skill for daily life in Japan.
Kun'yomi (訓読み) — Native Japanese readings
The kun'yomi readings are あず.ける (azukeru) and あず.かる (azukaru). They look nearly identical but describe opposite sides of the same transaction.
あずける (azukeru) is a transitive verb meaning "to deposit" or "to entrust something to someone." The person handing something over uses this word — you are giving up temporary custody.
- 預ける (azukeru) — to deposit, to leave in someone's care
- 荷物を預ける (nimotsu wo azukeru) — to check in one's luggage
- 子供を預ける (kodomo wo azukeru) — to leave a child in someone's care
あずかる (azukaru) is also transitive, but from the receiving side. It means "to be entrusted with," "to look after," or "to take custody of." The person accepting responsibility uses this word.
- 預かる (azukaru) — to look after, to keep in custody, to be entrusted with
- 預かり所 (azukarijo) — checkroom, baggage storage counter
- 預かり証 (azukarishō) — claim ticket, custody receipt
One way to keep them apart: azukeru ends in "eru" — you are the one handing it over. Azukaru ends in "aru" — you now have it in your possession.
Common Words & Compounds
Here are the most useful words featuring 預, grouped by context:
Banking & Finance:
- 預金 (yokin) — bank deposit, savings
- 普通預金 (futsū yokin) — regular savings account
- 定期預金 (teiki yokin) — time deposit, fixed-term deposit
- 預金通帳 (yokin tsūchō) — bank passbook, account book
- 預け入れ (azukeire) — making a deposit
- 預金残高 (yokin zandaka) — account balance
Storage & Custody:
- 預かり所 (azukarijo) — checkroom, luggage storage
- 手荷物預かり (tenimotsu azukari) — baggage storage service
- 預かり証 (azukarishō) — claim ticket, storage receipt
- 一時預かり (ichiji azukari) — temporary custody or storage
Childcare & Polite Usage:
- お預かり (o-azukari) — polite form used by staff: "I will take care of this for you"
- 子預かり (koazukari) — short-term childcare arrangement
Example Sentences
銀行にお金を預ける。
Ginkō ni okane wo azukeru.
I deposit money at the bank.
駅のロッカーに荷物を預けた。
Eki no rokkā ni nimotsu wo azuketa.
I stored my luggage in a locker at the station.
友達の猫を三日間預かった。
Tomodachi no neko wo mikkakan azukatta.
I looked after my friend's cat for three days.
コートは入口でお預かりします。
Kōto wa iriguchi de o-azukari shimasu.
We will take your coat at the entrance.
彼女は毎月給料の一部を定期預金に入れている。
Kanojo wa maitsuki kyūryō no ichibu wo teiki yokin ni irete iru.
She puts part of her monthly salary into a fixed-term savings account.
預金通帳を忘れてしまった。
Yokin tsūchō wo wasurete shimatta.
I forgot my bank passbook.
この荷物を明日まで預かってもらえますか。
Kono nimotsu wo ashita made azukatte moraemasu ka.
Could you hold onto this luggage for me until tomorrow?
普通預金の金利はとても低い。
Futsū yokin no kinri wa totemo hikui.
The interest rate on a regular savings account is very low.
子供を保育園に預けてから仕事に行く。
Kodomo wo hoikuen ni azukete kara shigoto ni iku.
After dropping the kids off at daycare, I head to work.
大切な書類を弁護士に預けておいた。
Taisetsu na shorui wo bengoshi ni azukete oita.
I left my important documents in the care of my lawyer.
Memory Tip
Split 預 into its two parts: 予 (yo — beforehand, in advance) on the left, and 頁 (the "head" radical) on the right. Picture walking up to the bank manager before you need the money and handing it over to their authority. Doing something in advance (予) and placing it under someone's charge (頁) — that is exactly what 預 means. Next time you see an ATM screen or a hotel luggage counter, the connection should be immediate.