支 — Support, Branch, Sustain

Meaning

The kanji 支 (し / sa-saeru) is a highly versatile and essential character in Japanese, carrying primary meanings like 'support,' 'branch,' 'sustain,' and 'pay.' You'll encounter it in diverse contexts, from physical structures and organizational hierarchies to financial transactions. At its heart, 支 conveys the idea of holding something up, extending, or providing resources.

Historically, the kanji 支 is thought to originate from a pictograph or ideograph showing a hand holding a stick or a branch. The upper component, resembling 十 (jū) 'ten' or a cross, can be interpreted as the stick or the object being held. The lower component, 又 (mata), often translated as 'again' or representing a 'right hand,' clearly depicts the hand itself. This visual foundation directly ties into its core meanings of 'support' or 'prop up.' Envision a hand propping up a tree branch or a structure—that's the essence. Over time, its meaning expanded further to include 'branches' or 'divisions' of a larger entity, such as a branch office. It also evolved to encompass 'payment' or 'expenditure,' suggesting the act of furnishing or providing resources.

With just 4 strokes, 支 is introduced in Grade 4 of Japanese elementary schools. While simple in form, its widespread application in vocabulary makes it a crucial character for JLPT N3 learners to master.

Readings

On'yomi (音読み) — Chinese-derived readings

The primary On'yomi for 支 is シ (shi). This Chinese-derived reading appears in most compound words featuring 支. It's essential for grasping formal and technical terms, particularly those in fields like economics, administration, and organizational structures.

• 支持しじ (shiji) — support, endorsement. This term is frequently used when discussing political support or general approval. For example, 多くの人々が彼の意見を支持しています。(Many people support his opinion.)
• 支店してん (shiten) — branch office. This refers to a subsidiary office of a larger company or bank. For instance, この銀行は全国に支店があります。(This bank has branches all over the country.)
• 支払うしはらう (shiharau) — to pay. This is a common verb indicating the act of making a payment. For example, クレジットカードで支払いました。(I paid with a credit card.)

Kun'yomi (訓読み) — Native Japanese readings

The most common Kun'yomi for 支 is ささ-える (sasa-eru). This reading is found in native Japanese verbs and words, directly translating to 'to support,' 'to prop up,' or 'to sustain.' It strongly emphasizes the act of providing stability or strength.

• 支えるささえる (sasaeru) — to support, to sustain, to prop up. This verb is widely used in various contexts, from physical support to emotional or financial sustenance. For example, 彼は家族を支えています。(He supports his family.)
• 体を支えるからだをささえる (karada o sasaeru) — to support one's body. This phrase describes maintaining one's physical posture or balance. For example, 杖で体を支える。(To support one's body with a cane.)
• 生活を支えるせいかつをささえる (seikatsu o sasaeru) — to support one's livelihood. This refers to providing the necessary means to live. For example, 彼は一生懸命働いて生活を支えている。(He works hard to support his livelihood.)

Common Words & Compounds

To truly master 支, understanding its use in compound words is essential. Below are some common examples, categorized by theme:

Words related to Support & Sustaining:

• 支持しじ (shiji) — support, endorsement.

例：政党への支持しじ率が高い。(The approval rating for the political party is high.)

• 支えささえ (sasae) — support, prop, mainstay.

例：あなたは私の心の支えささえです。(You are the support of my heart.)

• 支柱しちゅう (shichuu) — pillar, support, prop.

例：この支柱しちゅうが建物を支ささえている。(This pillar supports the building.)

• 支持者しじしゃ (shijisha) — supporter, backer.

例：その候補者こうほしゃには多くの支持者しじしゃがいる。(That candidate has many supporters.)

Words related to Branches & Divisions:

• 支店してん (shiten) — branch office (e.g., of a bank or store).

例：銀行の支店してんは駅えきの近ちかくにあります。(The bank's branch office is near the station.)

• 支部しぶ (shibu) — branch (of an organization), chapter.

例：全国ぜんこくに支部しぶがある協会きょうかいです。(It's an association with branches nationwide.)

• 支社ししゃ (shisha) — branch office (of a company).

例：弊社へいしゃは大阪に支社ししゃがあります。(Our company has a branch office in Osaka.)

• 支流しりゅう (shiryuu) — tributary, branch stream.

例：この川かわにはいくつかの支流しりゅうがある。(This river has several tributaries.)

Words related to Payment & Management:

• 支払いしはらい (shiharai) — payment, disbursement.

例：来月らいげつの電気代でんきだいの支払いしはらいを忘れないでください。(Don't forget next month's electricity bill payment.)

• 支出ししゅつ (shishutsu) — expenditure, outlay, spending.

例：今月こんげつの家計かけいの支出ししゅつが多かった。(Household expenditure was high this month.)

• 支配しはい (shihai) — control, rule, management.

例：その国くにはかつて外国がいこくに支配しはいされていた。(That country was once controlled by a foreign nation.)

• 支度したく (shitaku) — preparation, arrangements.

例：旅行りょこうの支度したくはもうできましたか。(Are your preparations for the trip ready?)

Example Sentences

Memory Tip

To remember 支, break it down into its visual components. The top part (十) can be seen as a 'stick' or 'branch,' while the bottom part (又) resembles a 'hand' or 'arm.' Visualize a hand (又) holding up or propping up a stick (十). This mental image directly connects to its core meaning of 'support' or 'to prop up.' When thinking of 'branch' (like a tree branch or branch office), simply imagine the stick as a branch. For 'payment,' picture your hand giving out money to support a transaction. The consistent theme here is a hand providing stability or an extension.