Translation and Meaning of: 減点 - genten

If you are studying Japanese or are curious about the language, you may have come across the word 減点 (げんてん). It appears in contexts such as evaluations, competitions, and even in everyday school life. But what exactly does it mean? In this article, we will explore the meaning, origin, and practical uses of this word, as well as interesting facts about how it is perceived in Japan. If you want to understand how 減点 functions in sentences or how to memorize it more easily, keep reading!

The meaning and origin of 減点

The word 減点 (げんてん) is composed of two kanjis: 減 (gen), which means "to reduce" or "to diminish", and 点 (ten), which can be translated as "points" or "marks". Together, they form the term that represents the action of "deduction of points" or "penalization in an evaluation". It is commonly found in academic contexts, sports, or any situation where there is a scoring system.

The use of 減点 dates back to the Japanese educational system, where precision and discipline are fundamental values. From an early age, students learn that mistakes can result in point deductions, whether in exams or in inappropriate behaviors. This mentality reflects the importance placed on correction and continuous effort in Japanese culture.

How and when to use 減点 in daily life

Deduction of points is often used in formal settings, such as schools and competitions. For example, a teacher may say: "This mistake will result in a deduction of points." It also appears in the rules of sports or contests, where infractions lead to a reduction of the final score. It is a word that carries a serious tone, as it is associated with consequences for failures.

Outside of these contexts, 減点 is not very common in informal everyday conversation. You would rarely use it in a casual chat unless you were discussing something related to evaluations or performance. This shows how Japanese has specific words for specific situations, which can be a challenge for language learners.

Curiosities and tips for memorizing 減点

An effective way to remember 減点 is to associate the kanji 減 (gen) with "reduction" and 点 (ten) with "points". If you already know words like 加点 (かてん – addition of points), you can contrast them with 減点 to reinforce the opposite meaning. This opposition learning technique is useful for expanding vocabulary naturally.

Another curiosity is that 減点 is used more in written or formal contexts than in everyday speech. If you watch school dramas or animes about competitions, you will likely hear it in scenes of tests or tournaments. Observing these situations can help internalize the correct usage of the word without needing to memorize complex rules.

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Synonyms and similar words

• 減点 (Gentten) - Penalty point
• ペナルティ (Penaruti) - Penalty, usually related to reduced points in a sports or evaluation context.
• 減点罰 (Genttenbatsu) - Penalty for point reduction
• マイナスポイント (Mainasupointo) - Negative points, referring to lost points or disadvantages

減点

Romaji: genten
Kana: げんてん
Type: noun
L: jlpt-n1

Translation / Meaning: subtract; give a demerit

Meaning in English: subtract;give a demerit

Definition: Enter incorrect answers and mistakes to reduce points.

Example Sentences - (減点) genten

See below some example sentences:

減点は避けたいです。

Genten wa saketai desu

I want to avoid losing points.

I want to avoid deductions.

• 減点 - a Japanese word meaning "deducted points".
• は - a Japanese particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case "points deducted".
• 避けたい - a Japanese word meaning "to want to avoid".
• です - a polite way to end a sentence in Japanese.