借 — Borrow, Rent

Meaning

The kanji 借かりる (kari.ru or shaku) fundamentally means "to borrow" or "to rent." It's used to describe the temporary acquisition of something, whether it's money, objects, or property. This distinguishes it from lending, which uses the kanji 貸かす (ka.su).

The kanji 借かりる is a fascinating example of a semantic-phonetic compound, a common type of kanji formation. On the left, the 亻にんべん (ninben) radical represents a person, indicating that the kanji's meaning relates to human actions. The right side, 昔せき (seki or mukashi), means "old times" or "past." This component serves as the phonetic element, giving the kanji its sound (though the modern Japanese on'yomi 'shaku' differs slightly from 'seki', they share historical phonetic roots).

Together, these components suggest a person (亻) acquiring something for a temporary period, perhaps drawing on past relationships or agreements, with the implicit understanding of eventual return. This structure effectively combines the idea of a person with a temporal or relational aspect to convey the concept of borrowing or renting.

This kanji has 10 strokes and is taught in the 4th grade of Japanese elementary schools. It is classified as an N4 level kanji for the JLPT.

Readings

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

The on'yomi, or Chinese-derived reading, for 借かりる is シャクシャク (shaku). You'll typically encounter this reading when the kanji forms part of a compound word, especially in formal, technical, or financial contexts. It frequently appears in terms related to debt, loans, or leases.

借金しゃっきん (shakkin) — This compound literally combines 借シャク (borrow) and 金キン (money), meaning "debt" or "loan." It's a very common term in everyday Japanese when discussing financial obligations.
賃借ちんしゃく (chinshaku) — Combining 賃チン (rent/fare) and 借シャク (borrow), this term means "lease" or "tenancy." It refers to the act of renting something, typically property, like an apartment or office space.
貸借たいしゃく (taishaku) — This word combines 貸タイ (lend) and 借シャク (borrow), meaning "lending and borrowing" or, in accounting, "debit and credit." It represents the reciprocal relationship between giving and taking loans.

Kun'yomi (訓読み) — Native Japanese readings

The primary kun'yomi, or native Japanese reading, for 借かりる is か.りるかりる (kari.ru). You'll use this reading when 借かりる acts as a verb on its own or as part of a verb phrase. It's the most common and direct way to say "to borrow" or "to rent" in everyday conversation.

借りるかりる (kariru) — This is the standalone verb meaning "to borrow" or "to rent." It is an Ichidan verb and one of the most frequently encountered uses of this kanji. For example, 本ほんを借りるかりる means "to borrow a book."
借り手かりて (karite) — This compound combines 借りかり (borrowing, from 借りるかりる) and 手て (hand/person), meaning "borrower" or "tenant." It refers to the person who is doing the borrowing or renting, like a tenant renting an apartment.
間借りまがり (magari) — This word combines 間ま (space/room) and 借りかり (borrowing), meaning "lodging in a part of a house" or "renting a room." It describes the act of renting a portion of someone else's living space, often for a short term.

Common Words & Compounds

The kanji 借かりる features in many common Japanese words, particularly those related to finances, property, and daily transactions. Learning these compounds is key to mastering its versatile usage.

Financial & Legal Terms:
借金しゃっきん (shakkin) — Debt, loan. Often used in personal finance discussions, such as repaying a credit card debt.
借款しゃっかん (shakkan) — Loan (often refers to international or large-scale loans). For instance, a government might seek a 借款しゃっかん for infrastructure projects.
借地しゃくち (shakuchi) — Leased land, rented land. This applies when someone rents land to build on.
借家しゃくや (shakuya) — Rented house.
借用書しゃくようしょ (shakuyōsho) — Promissory note, IOU. A formal document acknowledging a debt.
貸借対照表たいしゃくたいしょうひょう (taishakutaishōhyō) — Balance sheet (an accounting term).
Everyday Actions & Objects:
借りるかりる (kariru) — To borrow, to rent (the fundamental verb).
借り物かりもの (karimono) — Borrowed article, borrowed thing. For example, a friend's borrowed umbrella.
間借りまがり (magari) — Lodging in a part of a house, renting a room.
借り手かりて (karite) — Borrower, tenant. The person who borrows or rents.
借入金かりいれきん (kariirekin) — Borrowed money, loan. Specifically refers to money that has been borrowed, often for a specific purpose.
借主かりぬし (karinushi) — Borrower, tenant (similar to 借り手かりて).

These examples illustrate how 借かりる combines with other kanji to create nuanced meanings for temporary acquisition, financial obligations, and property arrangements. By paying attention to whether a word uses the on'yomi or kun'yomi reading, you'll more accurately identify its context and meaning.

Example Sentences

図書館としょかんで本ほんを借かりました。

Toshokan de hon o karimashita.

I borrowed a book from the library.

彼かれは友人ゆうじんにお金かねを借かりた。

Kare wa yūjin ni okane o karita.

He borrowed money from a friend.

この部屋へやは月つき5万円まんえんで借かりています。

Kono heya wa tsuki go man-en de karite imasu.

I am renting this room for 50,000 yen a month.

会社かいしゃに多額たがくの借金しゃっきんがある。

Kaisha ni tagaku no shakkin ga aru.

The company has a large debt.

借かりたものは必かならず返かえさなければならない。

Karita mono wa kanarazu kaesanakereba naranai.

What you borrowed must be returned.

自転車じてんしゃを借かりて、公園こうえんまで行いきました。

Jitensha o karite, kōen made ikimashita.

I borrowed a bicycle and went to the park.

私わたしは彼かれにCDを借かりたいと頼たのんだ。

Watashi wa kare ni CD o karita i to tanonda.

I asked him if I could borrow his CD.

政府せいふは新あたらしい計画けいかくのために借款しゃっかんを求もとめた。

Seifu wa atarashii keikaku no tame ni shakkan o motometa.

The government sought a loan for the new project.

来月らいげつまでに借金しゃっきんを全すべて返済へんさいする予定よていです。

Raigetsu made ni shakkin o subete hensai suru yotei desu.

I plan to repay all my debt by next month.

彼かれは車くるまを借かりて、遠とおくまで旅行りょこうに出でかけた。

Kare wa kuruma o karite, tōku made ryokō ni dekaketa.

He borrowed a car and went on a trip far away.

Related Kanji

Memory Tip

To remember the kanji 借かりる, break it down into its components: the person radical 亻にんべん on the left, and 昔むかし (old times/past) on the right. Here's a story to help: Imagine a PERSON (亻) who needs to BORROW something because their own is from OLD TIMES (昔) and is no longer usable. Or, picture a PERSON (亻) needing to BORROW a time machine to visit OLD TIMES (昔). These narrative connections make it easier to link the components to the core meaning of borrowing.