Japanese Conversation · Level 94
60 words
Japanese word
財
Pronunciation
Romajizai
Meaning
- nounwealth
Example
彼は財を築きます。kare wa zai o kizu ki ma su
He builds wealth.
More examples
災害に備えて、財を安全な場所に保管します。sai gai ni sona e te zai o an zen na ba sho ni ho kan shi ma su
I store my wealth in a safe place in preparation for disasters.
Core concept
It refers to accumulated value that provides material security and can be passed on or used later.
Common phrases
財を築くzai o kizu ku
build wealth
財を投じるzai o tō ji ru
invest one's wealth
財を守るzai o mamo ru
protect one's wealth
Similar words
財産zaisan: A large amount of valuable property or money.
富tomi: Abundant money and valuable possessions that provide material security.
資産shisan: Property or resources that have economic value and can be owned or used.
Definition in Japanese
金銭や土地など、価値があり蓄えておける財産。kin sen ya to chi na do ka chi ga a ri takuwa e te o ke ru zai san
Word origin
The Sino-Japanese word 財 (zai, "wealth") uses the kanji 財, with 貝 (kai, "shell money") as its meaning element and 才 (sai) as its sound element.
Usage tips
- In Confucian discussions, material wealth is commonly set against moral virtue, which gives this word a formal literary flavor in ethical writing.