Translation and Meaning of: 雑 - zatsu

The Japanese word 雑[ざつ] is a versatile and interesting term, often found in everyday life and in compound expressions. If you are learning Japanese or just curious about the language, understanding its meaning, origin, and usage can enrich your vocabulary. In this article, we will explore what this word represents, how it is perceived in Japanese culture, and tips for memorizing it effectively.

In addition to its main meaning, 雑[ざつ] appears in various linguistic combinations, making it even more relevant for students. Whether in formal or informal contexts, it carries nuances that may go unnoticed without a deeper analysis. Let's uncover these particularities and demonstrate how to apply it correctly.

Meaning and use of 雑 [ざつ]

The term 雑[ざつ] can be translated as "mixed," "disorganized," or "varied," depending on the context. It is used to describe things that do not follow a specific order or that encompass different elements without a selective criterion. For example, in 雑誌[ざっし] (magazine), the idea is precisely that of diverse content gathered in a single publication.

Another common use is in words like 雑用[ざつよう] (varied tasks or minor jobs), reinforcing the notion of unskilled activities. It is worth noting that, although it may have a negative connotation in some cases, such as in 雑音[ざつおん] (noise), this is not always the case. It all depends on the sentence construction and the speaker's intention.

Origin and writing of the kanji 雑

The kanji 雑 is composed of the radical 隹 (bird) combined with 集 (to gather). This structure suggests the idea of "gathering various things," like birds of different species in one place. This etymology helps to understand why the term is associated with mixing and variety, concepts that are present in its current meaning.

Interestingly, this kanji also appears in older expressions, showing how its use has remained relevant over time. The pronunciation ざつ is the most common, but in some words, like 雑魚[ざこ] (small fish), it takes on different readings, which can be a challenge for beginner students.

Tips for memorizing and using 雑[ざつ]

An effective way to solidify this word is to associate it with compound terms that you already know. For example, remembering 雑誌 (magazine) and 雑音 (noise) makes it easier to identify the pattern of meaning. Another tip is to practice with everyday sentences, such as この部屋は雑だ (This room is messy), to internalize its usage.

Additionally, paying attention to the radical 隹 can help to recognize the kanji in other contexts. If you are already familiar with characters that share this component, such as 集 (to gather), it becomes easier to relate them and expand your vocabulary. Repetition and practical application are always the best strategies.

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Synonyms and similar words

• 散らかし (chirakashi) - Mess, disorder.
• ごたまぜ (gotamaze) - Mixing, confusion of items, unordered mixture.
• まとまりのない (mato mari no nai) - Disorganized, lacking cohesion.
• 乱雑な (ranzatsu na) - Disordered, messy, chaotic.
• 無秩序な (muchi tsujona) - Lack of order, chaotic.
• 複雑な (fukuzatsu na) - Complex, with many different parts.
• 雑多な (zatta na) - Diversified, a mix of different things.
• ごちゃまぜの (gochamaze no) - Mixed, disordered.
• 混合した (kongou shita) - Mix, a combination of different parts.
• 混ざった (mazatta) - Mixed, that came together.
• 混じった (majitta) - Blended, intertwined.
• 混ぜ物の (mazemono no) - Mixed items, a mixture of things.
• 混合物の (kongo butsu no) - Mixed substances, mixed compound.

雑

Romaji: zatsu
Kana: ざつ
Type: noun
L: jlpt-n1

Translation / Meaning: rough; crude

Meaning in English: rough;crude

Definition: I'm sorry, I would like to know the definition of which word specifically?

Example Sentences - (雑) zatsu

See below some example sentences:

雑談するのは楽しいですね。

Zatsudan suru no wa tanoshii desu ne

chatting is fun

It's fun to talk.

• 雑談するのは - zatsudan suru no wa (verb "zatsudan suru" meaning "to talk casually" + particle "no" indicating possession + particle "wa" indicating topic)
• 楽しいです - tanoshii desu (adjective "tanoshii" meaning "fun" + verb "desu" meaning to be)
• ね - ne (particle indicating emphasis or seeking confirmation)

雑誌を読むのが好きです。

Zasshi wo yomu no ga suki desu

I like to read magazines.

• 雑誌 (zasshi) - magazine
• を (wo) - direct object particle
• 読む (yomu) - read
• のが (noga) - particle that indicates the action of liking
• 好き (suki) - like
• です (desu) - Verb to be/estar in the present

雑音がうるさいです。

Zatsuon ga urusai desu

The noise is loud.

The noise is loud.

• 雑音 - background sound, noise
• が - subject particle
• うるさい - noisy, annoying
• です - Verb to be/estar in the present

私の気持ちは複雑です。

Watashi no kimochi wa fukuzatsu desu

My feelings are complicated.

My feelings are complicated.

• 私 (watashi) - The personal pronoun that means "I" in Japanese.
• の (no) - particle that indicates possession or relationship between two things
• 気持ち (kimochi) - noun meaning "feeling" or "emotion"
• は (wa) - Particle indicating the topic of the sentence
• 複雑 (fukuzatsu) - adjective meaning "complex" or "complicated"
• です (desu) - verb to be in the polite form

この雑誌に私の作品が掲載されました。

Kono zasshi ni watashi no sakuhin ga keisai sare mashita

My work was published in this magazine.

• この - demonstrative "this"
• 雑誌 - noun "magazine"
• に - particle that indicates "in"
• 私の - possessive pronoun "my"
• 作品 - noun "work"
• が - particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• 掲載 - noun "publication"
• されました - passive verb "was published"

この雑誌は創刊から人気がある。

Kono zasshi wa soukan kara ninki ga aru

This magazine has been popular since its launch.

• この - demonstrative pronoun that means "this"
• 雑誌 - noun meaning "magazine"
• は - topic particle that indicates that the subject of the sentence is "this magazine"
• 創刊 - noun meaning "release" or "first edition"
• から - particle that indicates the starting point, in this case, "since"
• 人気 - noun meaning "popularity"
• が - subject particle that indicates that "popularity" is the subject of the sentence
• ある - verb meaning "to exist" or "to have"

この駅はいつも混雑しています。

Kono eki wa itsumo konzatsu shiteimasu

This station is always crowded.

• この駅 - This station
• は - Topic particle
• いつも - Always
• 混雑 - Crowd, gathering
• しています - It's running

人体は複雑な構造を持っています。

Jintai wa fukuzatsu na kozo o motte imasu

The human body has a complicated structure.

• 人体 (jintai) - Human body
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• 複雑 (fukuzatsu) - complex
• な (na) - adjectival particle
• 構造 (kouzou) - structure
• を (wo) - direct object particle
• 持っています (motteimasu) - Have, possess

私の内心は複雑です。

Watashi no naishin wa fukuzatsu desu

My inner heart is complicated.

• 私 (watashi) - The personal pronoun that means "I" in Japanese.
• の (no) - particle that indicates possession or relationship between two words
• 内心 (naishin) - noun that means "inner feelings" or "intimate thoughts"
• は (wa) - particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case, "my inner feelings"
• 複雑 (fukuzatsu) - adjective meaning "complex" or "complicated"
• です (desu) - auxiliary verb that indicates the polite or formal way of affirming something in Japanese

私は雑誌の購読をしています。

Watashi wa zasshi no kōdoku o shiteimasu

I am a magazine subscriber.

I subscribe to magazines.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case, "I"
• 雑誌 (zasshi) - noun meaning "magazine"
• の (no) - particle that indicates possession or relationship between two nouns, in this case, "from the magazine"
• 購読 (koudoku) - noun meaning "signature" or "subscription"
• を (wo) - particle that indicates the direct object of the sentence, in this case, "signature"
• しています (shiteimasu) - verb that indicates continuous action in the present, in this case, "I'm signing"