Translation and Meaning of: 額 - gaku

The Japanese word 額[がく] may seem simple at first glance, but it carries interesting meanings and uses in everyday Japan. If you are looking to understand its meaning, translation, or how it is used in sentences, you have come to the right place. In this article, we will explore everything from the origin of this term to its cultural context, as well as practical tips for memorizing it. Here at Suki Nihongo, our goal is to provide accurate and useful information for students and enthusiasts of the Japanese language.

Meaning and Translation of 額[がく]

In Japanese, 額[がく] primarily means "forehead" or "frontal", referring to the upper part of the face. However, this word can also be used in other contexts, such as "amount" or "value", especially when it comes to money. This duality of meanings is common in many Japanese terms and can cause confusion for beginners.

To avoid mistakes, it is important to pay attention to the context in which 額 appears. For example, in a conversation about payments, it is more likely that the term refers to a monetary amount. In a physical description, it clearly indicates the forehead. This semantic flexibility is one of the fascinating aspects of Japanese.

Origin and Writing of the Kanji 額

The kanji 額 is composed of the radicals 頁 (page/head) and 各 (each). This combination suggests a relation to the idea of "head" or "upper part," which explains its use for "forehead." The meaning of "amount" may have arisen metaphorically, associating the idea of "head" (top) with a principal or total value.

It's worth noting that 額 is not one of the simpler kanji, but its structure can be memorized with practice. Observing its components helps to understand its internal logic, something essential for those studying Japanese. Tools like Suki Nihongo provide details about strokes and radicals, making learning easier.

Cultural Use and Curiosities

In Japan, the forehead (額) holds cultural significance, appearing in expressions and even in artistic representations. For example, in manga and anime, characters with wide foreheads are often associated with intelligence or eccentric personalities. This representation is not a rule, but it is a recurring stereotype in the media.

Another interesting point is that 額 can also refer to decorative frames or panels, especially traditional ones. This connection between "forehead" and "art object" may seem strange, but it reflects the way the Japanese language creates visual and conceptual associations between seemingly distinct ideas.

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Synonyms and similar words

• 顶点 (teipoint) - Highest point, peak.
• 頂点 (chōten) - Highest point, peak.
• 頭頂 (dōchō) - Top of the head.
• 頭頂部 (dōchōbu) - Top of the head.
• 頭上部 (dōjōbu) - Part above the head.
• 前額 (zen'gaku) - Forehead (front part of the head).
• 額部 (gaku-bu) - Part of the head.
• 額縁 (gakuwa) - Picture frame.
• 額飾り (gaku-kazari) - Decorative ornament on the forehead or in the frame.
• 額装 (gakusō) - Emolduramento.
• 額面 (gakumen) - Face value, par value.
• 金額 (kingaku) - Amount of money, monetary value.
• 費用 (hiyō) - Cost, expense.
• 総額 (sōgaku) - Total, total amount.
• 累計 (ruikei) - Total accumulated, total sum.
• 総計 (sōkei) - Total calculation, total sum.
• 合計 (gōkei) - Total, sum.
• 総額数 (sōgaku-sū) - Total quantity.
• 総額金額 (sōgaku-kingaku) - Total amount of money.
• 総額合計 (sōgaku-gōkei) - Total sum overall.
• 総額支払い (sōgaku-shiharai) - Total payments.
• 総額請求 (sōgaku-seikyū) - Total of charges.
• 総額予算 (sōgaku-yosan) - Total budget.
• 総額費用 (sōgaku-hiyō) - Total expenses.
• 総額利益 (sōgaku-rieki) - Total profits.
• 総額損失 (sōgaku-sonshitsu) - Total losses.
• 総額経費 (sōgaku-keihi) - Total operating costs.
• 総額税金 (sōgaku-zeikin) - Total taxes.
• 総額保険 (sōgaku-hoken) - Total insurance.

額

Romaji: gaku
Kana: がく
Type: noun
L: jlpt-n3

Translation / Meaning: picture (framed); quantity or sum (of money)

Meaning in English: picture (framed);amount or sum (of money)

Definition: Forehead: The upper part of the face.

Example Sentences - (額) gaku

See below some example sentences:

この商品の金額はいくらですか？

Kono shouhin no kingaku wa ikura desu ka?

What is the value of this product?

How much is this product?

• この商品 - This product
• の - Possessive particle
• 金額 - Price
• は - Topic particle
• いくら - How much
• ですか - Is (interrogative particle)

差額は返金されます。

Sagaku wa henkin saremasu

The difference will be refunded.

• 差額 - value difference
• は - Topic particle
• 返金 - refund
• されます - passive form of the verb "to be done"

私の額には汗が滲んでいる。

Watashi no hitai ni wa ase ga nijinde iru

My forehead is sweaty.

• 私 - The personal pronoun that means "I" in Japanese.
• の - particle that indicates possession or relationship between two things
• 額 - noun meaning "forehead" in Japanese
• に - particle indicating action or state of something in a specific place
• は - Particle indicating the topic of the sentence
• 汗 - noun meaning "sweat" in Japanese
• が - particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• 滲んでいる - verb meaning "to be perspiring" or "to be sweating" in Japanese