phonetic loan; using kanji for sound only
Technical term in Japanese historical linguistics. Refers to the practice in Man'yōgana where a kanji is used solely for its Chinese-derived sound to write a native Japanese word, ignoring the kanji's meaning. Primarily encountered in discussions of the Man'yōshū and early writing systems.
See also: 万葉仮名
借音は、漢字の意味ではなく音を借りる表記法です。
Shakuon is a writing method that borrows sound rather than the meaning of kanji.
借音の用法は、漢字の意味を無視して音だけを借りる点が特徴だ。
The use of phonetic loan is characterized by borrowing only the sound of a kanji while ignoring its meaning.
Compound of 借 (borrow) and 音 (sound), referring to the borrowing of a kanji's Chinese-derived sound to represent a native Japanese word.