貸 means “lend, loan”

かす · kasu

Kun'yomi (Japanese reading)

かす, かし-

On'yomi (Chinese reading)

タイ

JLPT N4 · Taught in grade 5 · 12 strokes

The story

To replace/substitute (代) your wealth/shells (貝): giving your treasure to another on trust. 貸す (kasu) is the counterpart to 借りる, and together they form the backbone of Japanese financial culture. From the Edo-era 両替商 (ryōgaeshō, money changers) to modern 貸金業 (kashikingyō, lending businesses), trust has always driven Japanese commerce.

Used in 貸す (kasu, to lend), 貸し出し (kashidashi, lending/checkout), and 貸間 (kashima, room for rent)

More from Commerce & Trade

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

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

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