Translation and Meaning of: 財 - zai

The Japanese word 財[ざい] may seem simple at first glance, but it carries interesting meanings and uses that are worth exploring. If you are studying Japanese or simply curious about the language, understanding the context of this word can enrich your vocabulary and your perception of Japanese culture. In this article, we will dive into the meaning, origin, and practical applications of 財[ざい], as well as tips for memorizing it efficiently.

In the Suki Nihongo dictionary, you will find detailed explanations about terms like this one, but here we go beyond the basic definition. Let's explore how this word is used in everyday life, its relationship with compound expressions, and even its presence in cultural contexts. Whether to enhance your studies or simply satisfy your curiosity, this guide will help you uncover the secrets of 財[ざい].

Meaning and usage of 財[ざい]

The term 財[ざい] is often translated as "wealth" or "fortune," but its meaning extends beyond the material aspect. In Japanese, it can refer to valuable resources in general, including both tangible and intangible assets. For example, in compound words like 財産 (ざいさん, property) or 財政 (ざいせい, public finance), we see its application in economic and social contexts.

It is worth noting that 財[ざい] is not a term used in isolation in daily life. It mainly appears in combinations with other kanji, forming more complex words. This characteristic is common in words of Chinese origin (kango), which tend to be more formal and used in written texts or technical speeches. If you are learning Japanese, recognizing this pattern can help in understanding terms related to economics and management.

Origin and writing of kanji

The kanji 財 is composed of two main elements: the radical 貝 (かい), which represents shells and was historically associated with money in ancient China, and the component 才 (さい), which here mainly functions as a phonetic indicator. This structure reveals much about the history of the word, as shells were used as currency in commercial transactions in the past.

Interestingly, the presence of the radical 貝 in several kanjis related to finance - such as 貨 (goods), 販 (to sell), and 購 (to buy) - can serve as a valuable memorization tip. When you encounter a character with this radical, there’s a good chance you’re dealing with a term related to money or transactions. This is a useful strategy for those who want to systematically expand their vocabulary.

Cultural use and important expressions

In Japan, the concept of 財[ざい] is deeply connected to the notion of prosperity and responsible resource management. This is reflected in expressions like 財テク (ざいてく), an abbreviation for "financial techniques," which refers to personal investment strategies. The term gained popularity in the 1980s during the country's economic boom and is still used today in discussions about the financial market.

Another interesting cultural aspect is the use of 財 in names of institutions and public policies. For example, the Japanese Ministry of Finance is called 財務省 (ざいむしょう), highlighting the importance of this concept in the country's administration. For Japanese students, observing how these words appear in news and official documents can be an excellent way to consolidate learning and better understand Japanese society.

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Synonyms and similar words

• 資産 (Shisan) - Assets, goods, or resources that have economic value, including properties and investments.
• 財産 (Zaisan) - Heritage or assets in general, encompassing both assets and the property itself.
• 財物 (Zaimu) - Assets or properties, often referring to tangible assets.
• 財源 (Zaiengen) - Source of financial resources or available capital, especially in financing contexts.
• 財務 (Zaimu) - Financial management, referring to the financial aspects of an organization or entity.

財

Romaji: zai
Kana: ざい
Type: noun
L: jlpt-n1

Translation / Meaning: fortune; riches

Meaning in English: fortune;riches

Definition: Money or goods.

Example Sentences - (財) zai

See below some example sentences:

「この町には多くの文化財があります。」

Kono machi ni wa ooku no bunkazai ga arimasu

There are many cultural properties in this city.

• この - demonstrative pronoun, meaning "this one" or "this one here"
• 町 - noun, means "city"
• には - particle indicating the existence of something in a specific place, followed by the particle indicating the topic of the sentence
• 多く - adverb, means "many"
• の - particle that indicates possession or belonging
• 文化財 - compound noun, means "cultural heritage"
• が - particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• あります - verb, means "to exist"

しまった！財布を忘れてきてしまった。

Shimatta! Saifu wo wasurete kite shimatta

Oops! I forgot my wallet.

• しまった！ - Expression in Japanese that can be translated as "damn!" or "oh no!"
• 財布 - Word in Japanese that means "carteira"
• を - Direct object particle in Japanese.
• 忘れてきてしまった - The Japanese verb for "forget" conjugated in the past and followed by the particle "て" indicating continuous action and "きて" indicating that the action was performed in the current location. "しまった" is an expression indicating regret or frustration.

従業員は会社の財産です。

jūgyōin wa kaisha no zaisan desu

Employees are owned by the company.

• 従業員 - employee
• は - Topic particle
• 会社 - company
• の - Possession particle
• 財産 - Propriedade
• です - Verb to be/estar in the present

私の財布は空っぽです。

Watashi no saifu wa karappo desu

My wallet is empty.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• の (no) - particle that indicates possession, in this case, "my"
• 財布 (saifu) - noun that means "wallet"
• は (wa) - particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case, "the wallet"
• 空っぽ (karappo) - adjective that means "empty"
• です (desu) - verb to be in the present, in this case, "is"

私の財布が紛失しました。

Watashi no saifu ga funshitsu shimashita

I lost my wallet.

My wallet was lost.

• 私 - Japanese personal pronoun that means "I"
• の - Japanese particle indicating possession, equivalent to "de" in Portuguese
• 財布 - Japanese noun that means "wallet"
• が - Japanese particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• 紛失 - Japanese verb that means "to lose"
• しました - polite form and past tense of the verb "suru" which means "to do"

私は財布からお金を取り出す必要があります。

Watashi wa saifu kara okane o toridasu hitsuyō ga arimasu

I need to get money out of my wallet.

• 私 - Japanese personal pronoun that means "I"
• は - topic particle that indicates the subject of the sentence, in this case "I"
• 財布 - Japanese noun that means "wallet"
• から - particle that indicates the origin of something, in this case "from the wallet"
• お金 - Japanese noun that means "money"
• を - particle that marks the direct object of the sentence, in this case "money"
• 取り出す - Japanese verb that means "to withdraw."
• 必要 - Japanese noun meaning "need"
• が - particle that marks the subject of the sentence, in this case "I"
• あります - Japanese verb meaning "to have", in the sense of "need to have"

私の財布は赤いです。

Watashi no saifu wa akai desu

My wallet is red.

My wallet is red.

• 私の - "Meu" in Japanese
• 財布 - "wallet" in Japanese
• は - Japanese topic particle
• 赤い - "red" in Japanese, in the affirmative adjective form
• です - The verb "to be" in Japanese, in the affirmative present tense.

課税は国の財源の一つです。

Kazei wa kuni no zaigen no hitotsu desu

The tax is one of the national financial resources.

• 課税 - means "tax" in Japanese.
• は - Topic particle in Japanese, which indicates the subject of the sentence.
• 国 - "País" significa "国" (kuni) em japonês.
• の - particle of possession in Japanese, which indicates that "財源" belongs to "国".
• 財源 - means "source of income" in Japanese.
• の - particle of possession in Japanese, which indicates that "一つ" belongs to "財源".
• 一つ - means "one" in Japanese, indicating that "財源" is one of the country's sources of income.
• です - verb "to be" in Japanese, indicating that the sentence is a statement.

財布を忘れてしまった。

Saifu wo wasurete shimatta

I forgot my wallet.

I forgot my wallet.

• 財布 - wallet
• を - direct object particle
• 忘れてしまった - I completely forgot.

財産を守ることは大切です。

Zaisan wo mamoru koto wa taisetsu desu

It is important to protect your property.

• 財産 - property, material goods
• を - Particle that indicates the object of the action
• 守る - protect, guard
• こと - abstract noun indicating action or event
• は - particle that indicates the topic of the sentence
• 大切 - important, valuable
• です - Verb to be/estar in the present