Japanese Conversation · Level 132
60 words
Japanese word
兼
Pronunciation
Romajiken
Meaning
- conjunctionin addition to
Example
彼は教師兼作家です。kare wa kyō shi ken sak ka de su
He is a writer in addition to being a teacher.
More examples
この部屋は応接室兼会議室として使います。ko no heya wa ō setsu shitsu ken kai gi shitsu to shi te tsuka i ma su
We use this room as both a reception room and a meeting room.
Core concept
It presents one role as held together with another, so the same person or thing occupies both roles at once.
Common phrases
通訳兼案内役tsū yaku ken an nai yaku
interpreter and guide
編集者兼翻訳者hen shū sha ken hon yaku sha
editor and translator
店長兼料理人ten chō ken ryō ri nin
store manager and cook
Similar words
かつkatsu: It joins two statements or descriptions to show that both apply.
およびoyobi: It links nouns or noun phrases in formal writing to show that both are included.
ならびにnarabini: It links related items in formal writing, especially in official names or lists.
Definition in Japanese
一つの立場や役割を持ちながら、同時に別の立場や役割も担うこと。hito tsu no tachi ba ya yaku wari o mo chi na ga ra dō ji ni betsu no tachi ba ya yaku wari mo nina u ko to
Word origin
The Sino-Japanese word 兼 (ken, "to combine") comes from a character whose original form depicts one hand holding two stalks, expressing the idea of combining.
Usage tips
- Unlike a conjunction joining two separate subjects, 兼 (ken) normally links functions held by the same subject.
Other meanings
- at the same timeconjunction