Translation guide
A character that combines a meaning element (semantic component) and a sound element (phonetic component), as in many Chinese-derived characters used in Japanese (kanji). This guide explains how to refer to such characters in Japanese.
The learner wants to refer to the category of characters that have both a meaning part and a sound part, typical of most kanji.
The standard linguistic term for a phono-semantic compound character. Used in academic or explanatory contexts.
漢字の約90%は形声文字です。
About 90% of kanji are phono-semantic compound characters.
A descriptive phrase meaning 'a character that represents meaning and sound'. Useful when explaining the concept without technical jargon.
この漢字は意味と音を表す文字です。
This kanji is a character that represents meaning and sound.
The learner wants to talk about the part of the character that gives a clue to the meaning.
The semantic component or radical that indicates meaning. Common in kanji dictionaries.
「河」の意符は「さんずい」です。
The semantic component of '河' (river) is the 'water' radical.
Often used for the radical or classifier, which frequently serves as the semantic component. Note: not all radicals are semantic components, but in many cases they overlap.
部首 is a broader term for dictionary section headers; it may not always be the semantic component.
The learner wants to talk about the part of the character that hints at the pronunciation.
The phonetic component that indicates the on'yomi (Sino-Japanese reading). Standard term in kanji studies.
「河」の音符は「可」です。
The phonetic component of '河' is '可'.
Synonym for 音符, used in more technical or classical contexts.
形声文字では、声符が音を表します。
In phono-semantic characters, the phonetic component represents the sound.
In casual conversation about kanji, Japanese speakers might simply say 「この漢字は意味の部分と音の部分がある」 (This kanji has a meaning part and a sound part) rather than using technical terms like 形声文字. The technical terms are more common in educational or academic settings.
The radical of this kanji is 'tree'.