在
exist, outskirts, suburbs, located in
Readings
On'yomi
- ザイ
Kun'yomi
- あ.る
Nanori
- あり
Meaning
在 centers on being present in a place or state: existing, being located somewhere, or being in the outskirts/suburbs of a city.
Most common words using 在
24 of 340- 存在そんざいN3
existence; being; presence
- 現在げんざいN3
the present; present time; now
- 滞在たいざいN3
stay; sojourn
- 在庫ざいこN1
stock; inventory
- 在日ざいにちN1
resident in Japan (of a foreigner); situated in Japan (e.g. of an embassy)
- 在住ざいじゅう
residing; living; dwelling
- 実在じつざいN1
actual existence; real existence; existing in real life
- 在籍ざいせきN1
being enrolled (at a school); being registered; being a member (of a team, organization, etc.)
- 潜在せんざいN1
potentiality; dormancy; latency
- 不在ふざいN1
absence
- 所在しょざいN1
location (of); position; whereabouts; place where one is
- 所在地しょざいち
location; address
- 在宅ざいたく
being at home; being in
- 自在じざいN1
being able to do as one pleases; doing at will
- 健在けんざいN1
in good health; alive and well; going strong
- 在学ざいがくN2
attending (school, college, etc.); being enrolled; being a student
- 在来ざいらい
pre-existing; already there; conventional
- 在留ざいりゅうN1
residing (esp. abroad); staying; living
- 点在てんざい
being dotted about; being scattered; being interspersed
- 駐在ちゅうざい
residence; stay; (job) posting; being stationed (overseas, etc.)
- 顕在けんざい
being actual (as opposed to hidden or latent); being apparent; being obvious; being tangible; being revealed
- 在職ざいしょく
being in office; holding a position; employment; service
- 介在かいざい
existing (between); interposition; intervention; involvement
- 在任ざいにん
being in office
Study
Etymology
在 combines 才 (a phonetic element suggesting presence) with 土 (earth/ground), together conveying the idea of existing or being situated in a place.
Meaning mnemonic
The top-left part looks like a simplified person or marker, and the bottom 土 is the ground. Picture a person standing on the earth, marking where they exist.
Reading mnemonic
For ザイ, imagine a sign saying 'I exist here' written in bold, like a 'ZAI' stamp on the ground: ZAI -> ザイ.