台
pedestal, a stand, counter for machines and vehicles
Readings
On'yomi
- ダイ
- タイ
Kun'yomi
- うてな
- われ
- つかさ
Meaning
台 centers on a raised flat surface that supports something: a pedestal, stand, or platform. The counter sense extends this idea to machines and vehicles that sit on such a base.
Most common words using 台
24 of 402- 台だいN4
stand; rest; base; pedestal; platform; table; holder; support; rack
- 舞台ぶたいN3
stage (of a theatre, concert hall, etc.)
- 台湾たいわんN5
Taiwan
- 台風たいふうN4
typhoon; hurricane
- 仙台せんだいN5
Sendai (city in Miyagi)
- 台本だいほんN1
script; libretto; scenario
- 屋台やたい
cart (esp. a food cart); stall; stand
- 台所だいどころN5
kitchen
- 台無しだいなしN2
spoiled; spoilt; ruined; wasted (chance, etc.); messed up; destroyed; (coming to) nothing
- 台頭たいとう
rise (e.g. of a movement); emergence; rearing one's head; gaining prominence; coming to the fore; gaining power; gathering strength
- 土台どだいN1
foundation; base; basis
- 灯台とうだいN2
lighthouse
- 台車だいしゃ
platform truck; hand truck; trolley; dolly; cart
- 高台たかだい
high ground; elevation; hill; plateau
- 舞台裏ぶたいうら
offstage; backstage; behind the scenes
- 寝台しんだいN2
bed; couch
- 台帳だいちょう
account book; ledger; register
- 荷台にだい
(truck) load-carrying tray; (bicycle) luggage carrier; roof rack
- 気象台きしょうだい
meteorological observatory
- 天文台てんもんだい
astronomical observatory
- 滑り台すべりだい
(playground) slide
- 大台おおだい
(major) mark; level; barrier
- 台地だいち
plateau; tableland; eminence
- 鏡台きょうだい
dresser; dressing table; vanity table
Study
Etymology
台 is the modern simplified form of 臺, which originally depicted a raised platform or tower. The modern form 台 is a separate ancient character that was adopted as a simpler substitute.
Meaning mnemonic
The top 厶 looks like a private space, and the bottom 口 is a base. Imagine a private pedestal where you place a prized machine or vehicle.
Reading mnemonic
For ダイ, picture a die-cast metal stand holding a machine: die -> ダイ, and the stand is the pedestal.