市 — City, Market

Meaning

The kanji 市いち/し primarily means "city" and "market." Despite its simple, five-stroke structure, it's a crucial character for understanding Japanese geography and commerce. Historically, its shape likely comes from a pictograph or ideograph depicting a marketplace. Imagine an open area where goods are exchanged.

The top part (亠) might represent a roof or covering. The bottom part (巾) originally referred to a cloth or towel. This cloth was often used for displaying goods or wrapping purchases at a market stall. Together, these elements paint a picture of a bustling trading spot.

In ancient times, markets were often central to the growth of towns and cities. This makes the link between "market" and "city" quite natural. Therefore, 市し represents not just a location, but also the vibrant activity of buying and selling that defines urban centers. Its visual structure, though abstract now, hints at its origins as a place of commerce.

As a Grade 2 kanji, it's taught to children in their second year of elementary school, underscoring its foundational role in the Japanese language. It has a total of 5 strokes, making it relatively easy to write and remember.

Readings

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

The On'yomi, or Chinese-derived readings, of 市いち/し are mainly used in compound words, particularly for more abstract or formal terms. The most common On'yomi is シ (shi).

シ (shi): This reading is primarily used in compound words related to "city" or "municipal" concepts, appearing in names of cities, administrative divisions, and urban-related terms.
都と市し (toshi) — city, urban area. This refers to a large settlement, often distinguishing it from rural areas, like 東京とうきょう都市とし (Tokyo City).
市し民みん (shimin) — citizen, townspeople. People who reside in a city, such as 大阪おおさか市民し (Osaka citizens).
市し役やく所しょ (shiyakusho) — city hall. The administrative building for city government, like 横浜よこはま市役所しやくしょ (Yokohama City Hall).

Kun'yomi (訓読み) — Native Japanese readings

The Kun'yomi, or native Japanese readings, of 市いち/し are used when the kanji appears alone or combined with hiragana to form a native Japanese word. The principal Kun'yomi for this kanji is いち (ichi).

いち (ichi): This reading primarily refers to "market" or "fair." It evokes the bustling activity of buying and selling goods, often in a traditional, open-air setting.
市いち (ichi) — market, fair. Used by itself to mean a traditional market, like a local お祭りまつりの市いち (festival market).
朝あさ市いち (asa-ichi) — morning market. A market held in the morning, often for fresh produce, common in coastal towns like 函館はこだて朝市あさいち (Hakodate Morning Market).
青あお空ぞら市いち (aozora-ichi) — open-air market, flea market. Literally "blue sky market," such as a 公園こうえんでの青空市あおぞらいち (open-air market in a park).

Common Words & Compounds

The kanji 市いち/し appears in many common Japanese words, reflecting its central meanings: "city" and "market." Learning these compounds will greatly expand your vocabulary for discussing urban life, commerce, and daily activities.

Terms related to Cities and Administration

都と市し (toshi) — city, urban area. This is a very common term for a metropolitan area, like 大都市だいとし (large city).
市し民みん (shimin) — citizen, townspeople. Refers to the residents of a city.
市し長ちょう (shichō) — mayor. The head of a city's government.
市し役やく所しょ (shiyakusho) — city hall. The building where city administration takes place.
市し内ない (shinai) — within the city, downtown. Refers to the area inside the city limits, e.g., 市内しない観光かんこう (city sightseeing).

Terms related to Markets and Commerce

市いち (ichi) — market, fair. Used when referring to a traditional market.
市し場じょう (ichiba) — market (place), marketplace. This can refer to a general market, including wholesale markets, like 魚市場うおいちば (fish market). Note the irregular reading of 場.
朝あさ市いち (asa-ichi) — morning market. A common sight in many Japanese towns and cities.
青あお空ぞら市いち (aozora-ichi) — open-air market, flea market.
闇やみ市いち (yami-ichi) — black market. An illegal market.
証しょう券けん市し場じょう (shōken-shijō) — stock market. A financial market.

Example Sentences

この市いちには新あたらしい物ものがたくさんあります。

Kono ichi ni wa atarashii mono ga takusan arimasu.

There are many new things at this market.

私わたしの家いえは市しの中心ちゅうしんにあります。

Watashi no ie wa shi no chūshin ni arimasu.

My house is in the center of the city.

毎朝まいあさ、駅えきの前まえで朝あさ市いちが開ひらかれます。

Maiasa, eki no mae de asa-ichi ga hirakaremasu.

Every morning, a morning market is held in front of the station.

彼かれは今いま、市し役やく所しょで働はたらいています。

Kare wa ima, shiyakusho de hataraite imasu.

He is currently working at city hall.

この都市としはとても大おおきくて、人ひとが多おおいです。

Kono toshi wa totemo ookikute, hito ga ooi desu.

This city is very big, and there are many people.

市し長ちょうは来週らいしゅう会見かいけんを開ひらく予定よていです。

Shichō wa raishū kaiken o hiraku yotei desu.

The mayor is scheduled to hold a press conference next week.

私わたしたちは週末しゅうまつに青あお空ぞら市いちへ行いきました。

Watashitachi wa shūmatsu ni aozora-ichi e ikimashita.

We went to an open-air market on the weekend.

彼かれは長ながい間あいだ市し民みんのために尽力じんりょくしました。

Kare wa nagai aida shimin no tame ni jinryoku shimashita.

He worked hard for the citizens for a long time.

世界中せかいじゅうの都市としを旅たびするのが私わたしの夢ゆめです。

Sekaijū no toshi o tabi suru no ga watashi no yume desu.

Traveling to cities all over the world is my dream.

Related Kanji

Memory Tip

To remember 市いち/し, consider its components and its core meanings. Visually, the kanji breaks down into two main parts. The top part (亠) can be imagined as the roof of a stall or the shelter covering a market. The bottom part (巾) is often interpreted as a piece of cloth or a towel, perhaps used to display goods or wrap purchases at a market stall. Together, these elements paint a picture of a bustling marketplace under a roof, where items are sold. Since cities often grew out of such central markets, connecting this image to "market" and "city" becomes intuitive.

To remember the Kun'yomi 'ichi', imagine a vendor shouting "Ichiban!" (number one!) at their popular market stall. For the On'yomi 'shi', think of this market being a vital part of a bustling 'shi'ty (city).