謝 means “apologize, thank”

あやまる · ayamaru

Also: refuse

Kun'yomi (Japanese reading)

あやまる

On'yomi (Chinese reading)

シャ

JLPT N1 · Taught in grade 5 · 17 strokes

The story

Words (言) shot (射) straight from the heart: 謝 carries both sorry and thanks. 謝る is to apologize, 謝罪会見 is the press conference where executives bow low before the cameras, and 感謝 is gratitude.

Used in 謝る (ayamaru, to apologize), 感謝 (kansha, gratitude), and 謝罪 (shazai, apology)

More from Speak & Explain

• 訳 translation
• 釈 explain
• 喚 call out
• 陳 display
• 尋 ask
• 啓 open
• 諭 admonish
• 挨 push close
• 拶 press close
• 詮 scrutinize

Learn 謝 and more kanji free on Fuji Learning · All kanji

Readings from KANJIDIC2, © EDRDG, CC BY-SA.