What is the meaning and reading of the kanji "税"?

The kanji "税" belongs to JLPT N2 and means "Tax, Duty". Its Onyomi is "ゼイ (zei)" and Kunyomi is "".

JLPT N2

税

Tax, Duty

Q: Is there a memory mnemonic for "税"?

Yes! Radical breakdown: "禾 (grain) + 兌 (exchange, pleasing)". Mnemonic Story: "The tax collector grins as he takes your precious grain (禾). In exchange (兌), you get absolutely nothing, just the bitter taste of tax (税). He's pleasured by your misery, exchanging your hard work for his coffers."

Onyomi

ゼイ (zei)

Kunyomi

—

🧠 Memory Mnemonic

🔍 Radical Breakdown

禾 (grain) + 兌 (exchange, pleasing)

📖 Mnemonic Story

The tax collector grins as he takes your precious grain (禾). In exchange (兌), you get absolutely nothing, just the bitter taste of tax (税). He's pleasured by your misery, exchanging your hard work for his coffers.

💡 Quick Hint: Grain exchange tax

Essential N2 Vocabulary

税金

ぜいきん

Tax

消費税

しょうひぜい

Consumption tax

関税

かんぜい

Customs duty

Kanji Practice Quiz

Verify your memory for "税"

＿＿＿＿＿を払う。

🎉 正解 / Correct!

解説: 税金は「ぜいきん」と読みます。
English: Tax is read as 'zeikin'.

🦅

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