策
scheme, plan, policy, step, means
Readings
On'yomi
- サク
Kun'yomi
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Meaning
策 centers on a deliberate method for achieving a goal: a scheme, plan, or policy. The 'step' and 'means' senses are natural extensions of this idea of a calculated approach.
Most common words using 策
20 of 241- 対策たいさくN2
measure; step; countermeasure; counterplan; countermove; strategy; preparation (e.g. for a test)
- 政策せいさくN2
political measures; policy
- 策さくN1
plan; policy; means; measure; stratagem; scheme
- 策定さくてい
formulation (of a plan, policy, etc.); decision; settling on
- 施策しさく
policy; measure
- 策略さくりゃくN1
stratagem; artifice; trick; ruse; scheme; tactics
- 散策さんさく
walking; strolling; roaming; wandering; exploring
- 画策かくさく
scheming; planning; maneuvering; manoeuvring; plotting
- 方策ほうさくN1
plan; measure; means; scheme; policy
- 国策こくさく
national policy
- 失策しっさく
blunder; slip; error
- 得策とくさく
good policy; wise policy; best plan
- 策士さくし
tactician; schemer; intriguer; resourceful person
- 金策きんさく
(means of) raising money
- 策謀さくぼう
strategy; artifice
- 秘策ひさく
secret plan; secret scheme; secret stratagem; secret method
- 苦肉の策くにくのさく
last resort; desperate measure taken under the pressure of necessity
- 無策むさく
lack of policy; having no measures; lacking means
- 奇策きさく
bizarre plan; perplexing strategy; outlandish scheme
- 万策ばんさく
all means
Study
Etymology
策 combines 竹 (bamboo) with 朿, which originally depicted a thorn or spike. Historically, bamboo slips were used for writing documents, including plans and strategies, giving rise to the meaning of a written scheme or policy.
Meaning mnemonic
Imagine a bamboo scroll (竹) filled with a carefully written plan. The bottom part 朿 looks like a bundle of sticks tied together, like the steps of a strategy laid out in order.
Reading mnemonic
For サク, picture a sack full of bamboo slips, each one containing a different scheme: sack -> サク, and the sack holds all your plans.