Meaning
The kanji 辞 carries two core meanings. The first is to resign or quit — formally stepping away from a job or position. The second is words and language, most familiar from the word for dictionary, 辞書 (jisho). Both meanings share a common thread: language used with intention and consequence.
The structure of 辞 reflects this. It combines 辛 (hardship, bitterness) on the left with 舌 (tongue) on the right. The original image is of the tongue working through something difficult to deliver words that carry weight. Resignation speeches, eulogies, precise dictionary definitions — each demands that kind of effort.
辞 has 13 strokes and is a Grade 4 kanji, taught to Japanese children around age 9 or 10. News headlines use it when officials step down. Dictionary app names carry it. It appears constantly in office conversations about leaving a job.
Readings
On'yomi (音読み) — Chinese-derived readings
The on'yomi of 辞 is ジ (JI). This reading appears in compound words (熟語, jukugo) across formal, business, and academic contexts.
- 辞書 (jisho) — dictionary; literally "word book," the compound most learners encounter first
- 辞典 (jiten) — dictionary, reference work; often implies a more comprehensive volume — 広辞苑 (Kōjien) is Japan's most celebrated example
- 辞職 (jishoku) — resignation; the standard term in news and business contexts when someone leaves a post
- 辞任 (jinin) — stepping down; used for politicians and executives formally leaving official positions
- 辞退 (jitai) — declining politely; turning down a job offer, award nomination, or invitation
- 辞令 (jirei) — official personnel notice; the formal document a company issues when transferring or reassigning an employee
Kun'yomi (訓読み) — Native Japanese readings
The kun'yomi is や・める (ya-meru). The dot marks where the kanji reading ends and the okurigana (送り仮名) begins. As a standalone verb, it means to quit or formally resign. One distinction worth knowing: やめる also writes as 止める (to stop something), but 辞める specifically means leaving a position — not just halting an action.
- 辞める (yameru) — to quit, to resign; the direct, everyday way to say you're formally leaving a job
- 辞めたい (yametai) — want to quit; the verb stem plus たい, a phrase familiar to many office workers
- 辞め方 (yamekata) — how to resign; also used figuratively for the right way to end something
Common Words & Compounds
辞 compounds fall into two groups: language and reference, or resignation and departure.
Language & Reference
- 辞書 (jisho) — dictionary; the word most learners first associate with this kanji
- 辞典 (jiten) — dictionary, reference work; 広辞苑 (Kōjien) is Japan's most celebrated 辞典
- 電子辞書 (denshi jisho) — electronic dictionary; still widely used by Japanese students, especially for kanji lookup
- 祝辞 (shukuji) — congratulatory speech; the formal words delivered at weddings and graduation ceremonies
- 式辞 (shikiji) — ceremonial address; a speech at school entrance or graduation ceremonies
- 弔辞 (chōji) — eulogy; the words spoken to honor someone who has died
Resignation & Departure
- 辞職 (jishoku) — resignation; common in news headlines when officials leave their posts
- 辞任 (jinin) — stepping down; more formal than 辞職, typically used for high-profile departures
- 辞表 (jihyō) — letter of resignation; the written document submitted to a superior when leaving a position
- 辞退 (jitai) — declining; politely refusing a job offer, award, or invitation
- 辞令 (jirei) — official personnel notice; the formal paperwork for transfers and promotions
Example Sentences
彼女は辞書で言葉の意味を調べた。
Kanojo wa jisho de kotoba no imi wo shirabeta.
She looked up the meaning of the word in the dictionary.
彼は会社を辞めることにした。
Kare wa kaisha wo yameru koto ni shita.
He decided to quit his company.
大臣は昨日辞任を発表した。
Daijin wa kinō jinin wo happyō shita.
The minister announced his resignation yesterday.
彼女はその仕事の申し出を辞退した。
Kanojo wa sono shigoto no mōshide wo jitai shita.
She declined the job offer.
卒業式で校長先生が式辞を述べた。
Sotsugyōshiki de kōchō sensei ga shikiji wo nobeta.
The principal gave a ceremonial address at the graduation ceremony.
辞表を書くのは難しかった。
Jihyō wo kaku no wa muzukashikatta.
Writing the letter of resignation was difficult.
もう会社を辞めたくて仕方がない。
Mō kaisha wo yametakute shikata ga nai.
I just can't stop wanting to quit my company.
日本語の電子辞書はとても便利だ。
Nihongo no denshi jisho wa totemo benri da.
Japanese electronic dictionaries are very convenient.
彼は部長から辞令を受け取った。
Kare wa buchō kara jirei wo uketotta.
He received an official personnel notice from the department head.
新入社員がすぐに辞めてしまうことがある。
Shin'nyū shain ga sugu ni yamete shimau koto ga aru.
New employees sometimes end up quitting right away.
Memory Tip
Break 辞 into two parts: 辛 (bitter, hard) on the left, 舌 (tongue) on the right. A tongue pushing through something difficult to say words that matter. A resignation speech. A eulogy. A word hunted down in a dictionary. All three are 辞 moments — deliberate, effortful language that changes something.