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Kotomora

存

exist, suppose, be aware of, believe, feel

JLPTN3StatusJōyō · grade 6FrequencyTop 1,000Strokes6

Readings

On'yomi

  • ソン
  • ゾン

Kun'yomi

  • ながら.える
  • あ.る
  • たも.つ
  • と.う

Nanori

  • あり
  • まさ

Meaning

存 centers on the idea of something being present or maintained in mind or reality: existing, being aware of, believing, or feeling. The 'suppose' sense extends this as holding a thought as present.

Most common words using 存

20 of 205
  • 存在そんざい
    N3

    existence; being; presence

  • 保存ほぞん
    N3

    preservation; conservation; storage; maintenance

  • 依存いぞん
    N2

    dependence; reliance

  • 既存きそん

    existing

  • 生存せいぞん
    N2

    existence; being; life; survival

  • ご存知ごぞんじ
    N4

    knowing; being aware (of)

  • 存続そんぞく
    N1

    continuance; survival; persistence; retention; duration

  • 共存きょうぞん
    N1

    coexistence

  • 存ずるぞんずる
    N2

    to know; to be aware (of); to be acquainted (with)

  • 存分ぞんぶん

    to one's heart's content; as much as one likes; without reserve; freely; to the full

  • 現存げんぞん

    existing; living; extant

  • 温存おんぞん

    preservation; retainment; keeping

  • 思う存分おもうぞんぶん
    N1

    to one's heart's content; to one's complete satisfaction; as much as one likes; heartily; thoroughly; without restraint; to the full

  • 所存しょぞん

    opinion; intention; thought

  • 存命ぞんめい

    being alive

  • 残存ざんぞん

    survival; remaining; being extant; being left

  • 存亡そんぼう

    life or death; existence; destiny

  • 実存じつぞん

    existence

  • 一存いちぞん

    one's own discretion (idea, responsibility)

  • 存知ぞんじ

    knowing; being aware (of)

Explore all words using 存 →

Study

Etymology

存 is thought to combine 子 (child) with a reduced form of 才 (talent, ability), suggesting the idea of preserving or keeping something alive. The exact historical development is uncertain.

Meaning mnemonic

A child (子) under a protective roof-like top stroke: the child exists and is cared for, so you believe in its presence and feel its existence.

Reading mnemonic

For ソン, imagine a son (ソン) who exists and believes in you: son -> ソン, and his presence makes you aware of his feelings.