借 means “borrow”

かりる · kariru

Also: rent

Kun'yomi (Japanese reading)

かりる

On'yomi (Chinese reading)

シャク

JLPT N4 · Taught in grade 4 · 10 strokes

The story

A person (亻) who has taken (昔) something: holding what belongs to another, with obligation to return it. In Japan, 借りる (kariru) carries deep social weight. The expression 借りを返す (kari wo kaesu, to repay a debt) extends beyond money to favors and kindness: every 借り creates a bond of mutual obligation.

Used in 借りる (kariru, to borrow), 借金 (shakkin, debt), and 賃借 (chinshaku, lease)

More from Commerce & Trade

• 貸 lend
• 貿 trade
• 買 buy
• 売 sell
• 店 shop
• 銭 coin
• 品 goods
• 値 value
• 利 profit
• 商 commerce
• 税 tax
• 安 cheap

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