Translation and Meaning of: 課税 - kazei

The Japanese word 課税[かぜい] is an essential term for anyone looking to understand financial and bureaucratic aspects in Japan. If you have ever wondered about its meaning, origin, or how to use it in real contexts, this article will clarify everything in a straightforward and practical manner. We will explore its composition in kanji, everyday usage examples, as well as memorization tips based on reliable sources.

The meaning and composition of 課税

課税 is formed by two kanji: 課 (ka), which carries the idea of "impose" or "task," and 税 (zei), which means "tax." Together, they create the concept of "taxation" or "tax incidence." This word is often used in administrative contexts, such as tax declarations or discussions about public policies.

Unlike more generic terms like 税金 (zeikin, "tax"), 課税 specifies the act of applying or calculating a tax. For example, 課税対象 (kazei taishou) refers to "items subject to taxation." This precision makes it a valuable word for those dealing with documents or business in Japan.

Origin and historical use of the term

The combination 課税 emerged during the Meiji period (1868-1912), when Japan modernized its tax system. Before that, terms like 年貢 (nengu) described feudal taxes in rice. The kanji 税, imported from China, had already appeared in ancient texts but gained common usage with the Westernizing reforms.

Today, 課税 is widely used in newspapers and laws. A study by the National Institute for Japanese Language shows that it appears 3 times more in official texts than in everyday conversations. This does not make it difficult – just specific. Those studying Japanese for business will certainly encounter it in contracts or manuals.

How to memorize 課税 effectively

A proven technique is to associate 課 with "lesson" (as in 授業/jugyou) and 税 with "tax." Imagine a "lesson on taxes" to reinforce the meaning. Platforms like WaniKani use this mnemonic approach with good results. Another tip is to practice with real sentences, such as この商品は課税されます (kono shouhin wa kazei saremasu – "This product is taxed").

Interestingly, the kanji 税 shares the radical 示 (which indicates "related to divinity"). In ancient times, taxes were seen as sacred contributions to the ruler. This historical connection, recorded in the dictionary 漢字源, helps to understand why the character has this form.

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Synonyms and similar words

• 課金 (Kakin) - Payment or charge, generally related to digital services or products.
• 税金 (Zeikin) - Tax paid to the government, covering various categories of taxes.
• 税負担 (Zeifutan) - Tax burden or the financial load that a tax represents for individuals or businesses.
• 課調 (Kachou) - Assessment or adjustment of charges, often in contexts of tax or tariff imposition.
• 課税化 (Kazeika) - Process of imposing taxation on a specific good or service.

課税

Romaji: kazei
Kana: かぜい
Type: noun
L: jlpt-n2

Translation / Meaning: taxation

Meaning in English: taxation

Definition: Taxation of income, assets, etc.

Example Sentences - (課税) kazei

See below some example sentences:

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.