添
annexed, accompany, marry, suit, meet, satisfy, attach, append, garnish, imitate
Readings
On'yomi
- テン
Kun'yomi
- そ.える
- そ.う
Nanori
- そえ
- ぞい
Meaning
添 centers on adding something extra to complete or enhance: attaching, appending, or accompanying. The ideas of marrying, suiting, and satisfying extend from adding what is needed to make a whole.
Most common words using 添
20 of 87- 添えるそえるN2
to garnish; to accompany (as a card does a gift)
- 添付てんぷN3
attaching (documents, etc.); appending; affixing
- 添加てんかN1
addition; annexing
- 巻き添えまきぞえN1
getting mixed up in; getting embroiled in; involvement; entanglement; by-blow
- 添削てんさくN1
correction; looking over; touching up
- 付き添いつきそい
attendance (on); chaperonage
- 添い寝そいね
sleeping together
- 寄り添うよりそうN1
to get close; to cuddle close together; to nestle close to; to snuggle up to
- 添うそうN1
to meet (wishes, expectations, etc.); to satisfy; to comply with; to live up to
- 力添えちからぞえ
help; assistance; service
- 添乗てんじょう
accompanying (on a trip); escorting (a tour group)
- 付き添うつきそうN1
to attend on; to wait on; to accompany; to escort; to chaperone
- 介添えかいぞえ
helper (e.g. for a sick person); assistant
- 添え物そえもの
addition; supplement
- 口添えくちぞえ
recommendation; putting in a good word for someone
- 添い遂げるそいとげる
to remain married for life; to live as a married couple until death
- 食品添加物しょくひんてんかぶつ
food additive
- 添加物てんかぶつ
additive
- 連れ添うつれそう
to become a couple; to be man and wife; to be married to
- 付き添い看護婦つきそいかんごふ
(female) private nurse; patient attendant
Study
Etymology
添 combines 氵 (water) with 忝, which likely contributes the sound and the idea of adding or supplementing. The exact historical development of 忝 is uncertain.
Meaning mnemonic
Water 氵 is added to 忝, like pouring a little extra liquid to top off a dish. This act of adding completes the meal, just as 添 means to attach or accompany something to make it whole.
Reading mnemonic
For テン, picture adding a tenth (ten) ingredient to a recipe: ten -> テン, and that extra touch garnishes the dish perfectly.