Translation and Meaning of: 類 - tagui

The Japanese word 類[たぐい] may seem simple at first glance, but it carries interesting nuances that are worth exploring. Whether you are studying Japanese or just curious about the language, understanding its meaning, origin, and use in everyday life can enrich your knowledge. In this article, we will delve into the details of this word, from its writing to how it is culturally perceived in Japan.

Additionally, we will see how 類[たぐい] fits into different contexts, whether in informal conversations or in more formal situations. If you have ever wondered how to memorize this word or why it is used in a certain way, keep reading to discover useful and practical information.

Meaning and use of 類[たぐい]

類[たぐい] is a word that generally refers to "type," "class," or "species." It is used to group things or people that share similar characteristics. For example, when talking about animals of the same family or products of a specific category, this word may naturally arise in conversation.

However, 類[たぐい] can also carry a slightly negative tone in certain contexts. When used to describe people, it can imply a certain disapproval or distance, as in "あの類の人は苦手だ" (I don’t get along with that type of person). This nuance is important to avoid misunderstandings in real conversations.

Origin and writing of the kanji 類

The kanji 類 is composed of the radical 頁 (head) and the component 犬 (dog), although its direct relation to the current meaning is not so obvious. Historically, this kanji was associated with the idea of "grouping" or "classifying," evolving into the modern sense of "type" or "category."

It is worth noting that 類[たぐい] is not the only reading of this kanji. It can also be read as "rui" in words like 人類[じんるい] (humanity) or 種類[しゅるい] (variety). This variation in reading is common in Japanese and emphasizes the importance of studying the context in which the kanji appears.

Tips for memorizing and using 類[たぐい]

An effective way to fix 類[たぐい] in memory is to associate it with everyday situations. For example, when organizing objects at home, you can practice sentences like "この類の本は別にしておこう" (I will set this type of book aside). This type of exercise helps to internalize the word naturally.

Another tip is to pay attention to the tone of the conversation when 類[たぐい] is used. As mentioned, it can have a neutral or slightly negative connotation, depending on the context. Watching dramas or videos in Japanese can be helpful to catch these subtle nuances in the real use of the language.

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Synonyms and similar words

• 種類 (shurui) - Type or category of something; refers to the variety or specific form within a class.
• 分類 (bunrui) - Classification or categorization; it involves the act of grouping based on common characteristics.
• カテゴリー (kategorii) - Category; usually used to categorize items within a specific system or context.
• ジャンル (janru) - Genre or type; used to describe categories in contexts such as art, literature, and music.
• タイプ (taipu) - Type or form; used to describe a specific kind of something, often related to physical or design characteristics.

類

Romaji: tagui
Kana: たぐい
Type: noun
L: -

Translation / Meaning: one kind

Meaning in English: a kind

Definition: Things that are similar in species or type.

Example Sentences - (類) tagui

See below some example sentences:

この書類には署名が必要です。

Kono shorui ni wa shomei ga hitsuyou desu

This documentation requires a signature.

This document requires signature.

• この - demonstrative pronoun that means "this"
• 書類 - noun meaning "document"
• には - particle that indicates the location and focus of the sentence, in this case, "in the document"
• 署名 - noun that means "signature"
• が - particle that marks the subject of the sentence, in this case, "signature"
• 必要 - adjective meaning "necessary"
• です - Verb "to be" in polite form

この店にはたくさんの種類の商品があります。

Kono mise ni wa takusan no shurui no shōhin ga arimasu

There are many kinds of products in this store.

• この店には - indicate the location where the products are available
• たくさんの - means "many"
• 種類の - refers to the types of products available
• 商品が - means "products"
• あります - it is the verb "to exist" in the polite form

この書類には重要な事項が含まれています。

Kono shorui ni wa juuyou na jikou ga fukumarete imasu

This document contains important matters.

• この書類 - This documentation
• には - have
• 重要な - important
• 事項 - Information
• が - are
• 含まれています - included

「人類の文明の起源はどこにあるのか？」

Jinrui no bunmei no kigen wa doko ni aru no ka?

Where is the origin of human civilization?

• 人類 - "human race"
• の - possession particle in Japanese, which indicates that the next term is owned by the previous one.
• 文明 - It means "civilization" in Japanese.
• の - possession particle in Japanese, which indicates that the next term is owned by the previous one.
• 起源 - means "origin" in Japanese.
• は - topic particle in Japanese, which indicates that the next term is the subject of the sentence.
• どこ - means "where" in Japanese.
• に - location particle in Japanese, which indicates that the next term is the place where something is.
• ある - verb "to be" in Japanese, which indicates the existence of something.
• の - possession particle in Japanese, which indicates that the next term is owned by the previous one.
• か - interrogative particle in Japanese, which indicates a question.
• ？ - punctuation mark in Japanese that indicates a question.

私の親類はたくさんいます。

Watashi no shinrui wa takusan imasu

I have many relatives.

• 私 - personal pronoun that means "I"
• の - particle that indicates possession or belonging
• 親類 - noun that means "relatives"
• は - Particle indicating the topic of the sentence
• たくさん - adverb that means "many"
• います - verb that means "to exist" or "to be present" (in the affirmative present)

科学は人類の進歩に不可欠なものです。

Kagaku wa jinrui no shinpo ni fukaketsu na mono desu

Science is indispensable for human progress.

• 科学 (kagaku) - science
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• 人類 (jinrui) - humanity
• の (no) - Possession particle
• 進歩 (shinpo) - progress
• に (ni) - target particle
• 不可欠 (fukaketsu) - Essential, indispensable
• な (na) - adjectival particle
• もの (mono) - thing
• です (desu) - Verb to be/estar in the present