Meaning
額 holds two meanings that seem unrelated at first glance. One is physical: forehead (ひたい), the part of the face above the eyebrows. The other is abstract — a stated amount, especially a sum of money, or a framed tablet or plaque hung in a temple, shrine, or home.
Etymologically, 額 combines two parts: 客 (guest; a roof over a person) on top, and 頁 (head) on the bottom. That 頁 radical is the key. It depicts a human head and recurs in kanji about the face: 顔 (face), 頭 (head), 頬 (cheek). 額 points specifically to the forehead — the most prominent part of the face, and the first thing you see when someone stands before you.
The meaning of plaque or tablet came from placement. Decorative calligraphy boards were hung above temple gates and doorways — right at forehead height. From there, the sense of a face value or stated sum followed naturally, as in the figure printed on a bond or the total written on a receipt.
額 has 18 strokes, is taught at Japanese elementary Grade 5, and its radical is 頁 (おおがい).
Readings
On'yomi (音読み) — Chinese-derived readings
One on'yomi: ガク (GAKU). It dominates compound words for money, totals, and official figures. Check any bank statement, invoice, or tax notice and you'll find it.
- 金額 (kingaku) — monetary amount, sum of money
- 総額 (sōgaku) — total amount, grand total
- 高額 (kōgaku) — large amount (of money)
- 額面 (gakumen) — face value, denomination
- 定額 (teigaku) — fixed amount, flat rate
Spot 額 in a compound with 金, 総, 定, or 全? It's ガク, and it names a sum. The reading almost never appears in isolation — 額 standing alone is read ひたい.
Kun'yomi (訓読み) — Native Japanese readings
ひたい (hitai) means forehead — the word Japanese children learn first. Unlike ガク, ひたい rarely joins other kanji in compounds. It stands alone or appears in simple descriptive phrases.
- 額 (hitai) — forehead (standalone word)
- 額に汗 (hitai ni ase) — sweat on one's forehead (a set phrase for hard work)
- 広い額 (hiroi hitai) — wide forehead
Quick distinction: 額 alone or near body words → ひたい. 額 inside a financial compound → ガク.
Common Words & Compounds
額 turns up across everyday vocabulary, from shopping receipts to temple gates. Key compounds by category:
Financial & Numerical Amounts:
- 金額 (kingaku) — amount of money, sum
- 総額 (sōgaku) — total amount, grand total
- 高額 (kōgaku) — large sum, high amount
- 少額 (shōgaku) — small sum, minor amount
- 多額 (tagaku) — large sum, considerable amount
- 定額 (teigaku) — fixed amount, set sum
- 全額 (zengaku) — full amount, entire sum
- 半額 (hangaku) — half price, half the amount
- 差額 (sagaku) — difference in amount, balance
Face Value & Official Amounts:
- 額面 (gakumen) — face value, denomination (of currency or a bond)
- 税額 (zeigaku) — tax amount
- 請求額 (seikyūgaku) — billed amount, invoice total
Physical & Decorative:
- 額 (hitai) — forehead
- 額縁 (gakubuchi) — picture frame
- 扁額 (hengaku) — framed calligraphic tablet (hung at temples or gates)
Example Sentences
彼の額に汗が光っていた。
Kare no hitai ni ase ga hikatte ita.
Sweat was glistening on his forehead.
子どもの額を触ってみると、熱がありました。
Kodomo no hitai wo sawatte miru to, netsu ga arimashita.
When I touched the child's forehead, they had a fever.
この商品の金額はいくらですか。
Kono shōhin no kingaku wa ikura desu ka.
How much is the price of this product?
合計金額を確認してください。
Gōkei kingaku wo kakunin shite kudasai.
Please confirm the total amount.
半額セールで好きな本を買いました。
Hangaku sēru de suki na hon wo kaimashita.
I bought my favorite book at the half-price sale.
このチケットの額面は三千円です。
Kono chiketto no gakumen wa sanzen-en desu.
The face value of this ticket is 3,000 yen.
額縁に入った絵を壁に飾りました。
Gakubuchi ni haitta e wo kabe ni kazarimashita.
I decorated the wall with a framed painting.
毎月定額の貯金をするようにしています。
Maitsuki teigaku no chokin wo suru yō ni shite imasu.
I try to save a fixed amount every month.
多額の借金を抱えて困っています。
Tagaku no shakkin wo kakaete komatte imasu.
I'm in trouble because I have a large amount of debt.
少額の寄付でも、とても助かります。
Shōgaku no kifu demo, totemo tasukarimasu.
Even a small donation is a great help.
Memory Tip
Picture someone bowing deeply at a temple gate. Above them hangs a carved wooden plaque — a 額 (gaku). As they bow, their forehead (ひたい) tilts directly toward it. Carved on the plaque? The total amount of donations received by the temple. One scene, three meanings: the plaque itself, the forehead facing it, the sum written on it.