社 means “company, shrine”

しゃ · sha

Also: firm, office, association

Kun'yomi (Japanese reading)

やしろ

On'yomi (Chinese reading)

シャ

JLPT N5 · Taught in grade 2 · 7 strokes

The story

The earth god altar (示) beside earth (土): before 社 meant "company," it meant a sacred gathering place. Japanese corporations still visit 神社 (shrines) for New Year blessings. Business and the sacred remain intertwined.

Used in 会社 (kaisha, company) and 神社 (jinja, Shinto shrine)

Words with 社

• 会社 (かいしゃ, kaisha): company
• 社会 (しゃかい, shakai): society

More from Society & Government

• 官 government official
• 軍 army
• 公 public
• 私 private
• 世 world
• 界 world
• 国 country
• 王 king
• 法 law
• 政 politics
• 民 people
• 族 tribe

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