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N2

Kanji 税: meanings, readings, and example words.

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Kanji 税: tax, duty

Key takeaways

Kanji 税: tax, duty. Readings and core meaning.

See vocabulary and examples below.

Kanji at a glance

税
N2

Meaning

taxduty

On reading

ゼイ

Radical

禾

Core meaning / core image

Core meaning: 税

tax, duty

Kanji structure breakdown

税

Structure breakdown

禾 + 兌

Mnemonic story

Mnemonic story

In ancient times, people paid taxes by giving harvested grain (禾) to the state in exchange (兌) for protection or services. Imagine the process of handing over crops as your tax payment.

On'yomi and kun'yomi

On reading

ゼイ
  • 関税かんぜい

    tax on imports / customs duty

  • 税務署ぜいむしょ

    tax office

  • 課税かぜい

    taxation / tax imposition

  • 税関ぜいかん

    customs / customs office

  • 免税めんぜい

    tax exemption / duty free

  • 税金ぜいきん

    tax / duty / government charge

Commonly used words

  • 関税
    かんぜい

    tax on imports / customs duty

  • 税務署
    ぜいむしょ

    tax office

  • 課税
    かぜい

    taxation / tax imposition

  • 税関
    ぜいかん

    customs / customs office

  • 免税
    めんぜい

    tax exemption / duty free

  • 税金
    ぜいきん

    tax / duty / government charge

Example sentences

Example 1

この商品には高い関税がかかる。

Translation

This product has a high customs duty.

Example 2

国は関税を引き下げる計画だ。

Translation

The country plans to lower tariffs.

Example 3

税務署で確定申告をしました。

Translation

I filed my tax return at the tax office.

Example 4

税務署の人が調査に来ました。

Translation

Someone from the tax office came for an inspection.

Kanji 税: tax, duty | Daily Nihongo