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Kotomora

釈

explanation

JLPTN1StatusJōyō · secondary schoolFrequencyTop 2,000Strokes11

Readings

On'yomi

  • シャク
  • セキ

Kun'yomi

  • とく
  • す.てる
  • ゆる.す

Nanori

  • しゃ

Meaning

釈 centers on making something clear by explaining or interpreting it. The idea of releasing or letting go (as in forgiving or discarding) is a natural extension of untangling a complex matter through explanation.

Most common words using 釈

20 of 72
  • 解釈かいしゃく
    N3

    interpretation; explanation; reading; construction

  • 釈放しゃくほう
    N1

    release; liberation; acquittal

  • 注釈ちゅうしゃく

    notes; comment; remark; annotation

  • 保釈ほしゃく

    bail; releasing on bail

  • 釈明しゃくめい
    N1

    explanation; vindication

  • 釈迦しゃか
    N1

    Gautama Buddha; Shakyamuni; the historical Buddha

  • 希釈きしゃく

    dilution

  • 仮釈放かりしゃくほう

    releasing on parole; conditional release

  • お釈迦様おしゃかさま

    Buddha; Shakyamuni; the historical Buddha (5th century BCE?)

  • 講釈こうしゃく

    explanation (of a text, phrase, etc.); lecture; exposition

  • 釈然しゃくぜん

    fully satisfied (with an explanation, apology, etc.); happy; cleared of doubt

  • 会釈えしゃく
    N1

    slight bow (as a greeting or sign of gratitude); nod; salutation

  • 釈尊しゃくそん

    Gautama Buddha; Shakyamuni; the historical Buddha

  • 廃仏毀釈はいぶつきしゃく

    abolish Buddhism, destroy Shākyamuni (slogan of anti-Buddhist movement at the beginning of the Meiji era)

  • 釈迦如来しゃかにょらい

    Gautama Buddha; Shakyamuni; the historical Buddha (5th century BCE?)

  • 帝釈天たいしゃくてん

    Śakra (Deva); Shakra; Indra; Shakra Devanam Indra; the king of heaven in Hindu mythology

  • お釈迦おしゃか

    poorly made article; defective article

  • 釈迦牟尼しゃかむに

    Gautama Buddha; Shakyamuni; the historical Buddha (5th century BCE?)

  • お釈迦さんおしゃかさん

    Buddha; Shakyamuni; the historical Buddha (5th century BCE?)

  • メタファイル解釈系メタファイルかいしゃくけい

    metafile interpreter

Explore all words using 釈 →

Study

Etymology

釈 is the modern simplified form of 釋. The older form combines 釆 (distinguish) with 睪 (which likely contributed the sound), suggesting the idea of separating and clarifying. The modern right-side 尺 is a simplification and should not be treated as the original historical component.

Meaning mnemonic

The left side 釆 looks like a hand sorting grains of rice (米 with an extra stroke), and the right side 尺 is a ruler. Picture using a ruler to carefully separate and measure out the grains, making the process clear and explained.

Reading mnemonic

For シャク, imagine a teacher explaining a difficult concept by shaking a ruler: 'shaku shaku' goes the ruler as it points to each part of the explanation. The shaking sound cues シャク.