Meaning
Whether you are discussing a newborn baby, a manufacturing plant, or your personal bank account, you will encounter the kanji 産. It represents the act of bringing something into the world—be it life, goods, or wealth. For N4 learners, this character serves as a bridge between biological terms and the vocabulary of modern industry.
Technically, 産 is a phono-semantic compound. The bottom component is 生, which signifies life or growth. The top portion is a derivative of a character meaning "to produce" or "a person of talent." Visually, you can break it down into three parts: 'stand' (立) at the top, a 'cliff' or 'roof' (厂) in the middle, and 'life' (生) at the bottom. This structure suggests something being established or nurtured into existence.
As a Grade 4 kanji, it appears in many everyday terms. Mastering its 11 strokes requires careful attention to balance. The top-heavy elements must sit centered over the grounding 'life' radical at the bottom to look natural in handwriting.
Readings
On'yomi (音読み) — Chinese-derived readings
The primary on'yomi is サン. Since this reading is a single syllable, it frequently pairs with other kanji to create economic, medical, and industrial terms. It often describes the origin of a product or a person's financial status.
- 産業 (sangyō) — Industry (e.g., the car industry)
- 財産 (zaisan) — Property, assets, or a family fortune
- 生産 (seisan) — Production or manufacturing
- 出産 (shussan) — Childbirth or delivery
Kun'yomi (訓読み) — Native Japanese readings
The native readings usually focus on the literal act of birthing. う.む is the transitive verb for giving birth or laying eggs. Its intransitive counterpart is う.まれる, meaning to be born. You might also hear うぶ as a prefix for things in a newborn or innocent state.
- 産む (umu) — To give birth, to produce, or to lay (an egg)
- 産まれる (umareru) — To be born
- 産声 (ubugoe) — A baby's first cry
- 土産 (miyage) — Souvenir (Note: This is an irregular "ateji" reading)
Common Words & Compounds
This kanji is essential for discussing how a society functions and grows. Here are the most common ways you will see it used.
Economy and Business
- 不動産 (fudōsan) — Real estate (literally "immovable property")
- 水産 (suisan) — Marine products or fisheries
- 国産 (kokusan) — Domestic product (made in your own country)
- 特産 (tokusan) — A local specialty product
- 破産 (hasan) — Bankruptcy (literally "broken assets")
Health and Society
- 安産 (anzan) — An easy, safe childbirth
- 産婦人科 (sanfujinka) — Obstetrics and gynecology (OB-GYN)
- 産地 (sanchi) — The place of origin for vegetables or fruit
- 共産主義 (kyōsanshugi) — Communism (shared assets)
- 産後 (sango) — Postpartum or the period after birth
Example Sentences
彼女は元気な男の子を産みました。
Kanojo wa genki na otoko no ko o umimashita.
She gave birth to a healthy baby boy.
私は東京で産まれました。
Watashi wa Tōkyō de umaremashita.
I was born in Tokyo.
この車は日本で生産されています。
Kono kuruma wa Nihon de seisan sarete imasu.
This car is manufactured in Japan.
旅行のお土産を買いました。
Ryokō no omiyage o kaimashita.
I bought a souvenir from my trip.
日本の自動車産業はとても有名です。
Nihon no jidōsha sangyō wa totemo yūmei desu.
The Japanese automobile industry is very famous.
彼は莫大な財産を持っています。
Kare wa bakudai na zaisan o motte imasu.
He possesses a massive fortune.
不動産屋で新しいアパートを探しています。
Fudōsanya de atarashii apāto o sagashite imasu.
I am looking for a new apartment at the real estate agent.
北海道は農産物が豊かです。
Hokkaidō wa nōsanbutsu ga yutaka desu.
Hokkaido is rich in agricultural produce.
Related Kanji
- 弟 — Younger Brother, Junior (Kanji N4)
- 黒 — Black, Dark (Kanji N4)
- 洗 — Wash (Kanji N4)
- 短 — Short, brief, defect (Kanji N4)
- 田 — Rice Field (Kanji N4)
- 走 — Run, Move fast (Kanji N4)
Memory Tip
To remember 産, imagine a story about a new life standing up. At the top is 立 (to stand). Below it is a cliff (厂) representing a shelter or a hospital roof. At the bottom is 生 (life). Picture a new life (生) finally "standing" (立) on its own feet under a roof. This works for a baby taking its first steps or a new product finally being finished in a factory. This vertical progression from life emerging to standing tall helps anchor the components in your mind.