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N2

Kanji 臣: meanings, readings, and example words.

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Kanji 臣: retainer, subject

Key takeaways

Kanji 臣: retainer, subject. Readings and core meaning.

See vocabulary and examples below.

Kanji at a glance

臣
N2

Meaning

retainersubject

On reading

シンジン

Radical

臣

Core meaning / core image

Core meaning: 臣

retainer, subject

Kanji structure breakdown

臣

Structure breakdown

臣 + 匚

Mnemonic story

Mnemonic story

This character is a pictograph depicting the eye of a servant looking downward while bowing before a ruler. Imagine a loyal official showing respect and submission in the presence of a king. It is commonly used in words like 'minister' (大臣) or 'subject' (臣下).

On'yomi and kun'yomi

On reading

シン
  • 総理大臣そうりだいじん

    prime minister

  • 大臣だいじん

    cabinet minister / government minister

Commonly used words

  • 総理大臣
    そうりだいじん

    prime minister

  • 大臣
    だいじん

    cabinet minister / government minister

Example sentences

Example 1

総理大臣は国のリーダーです。

Translation

The prime minister is the country's leader.

Example 2

新しい総理大臣が発表されました。

Translation

A new prime minister was announced.

Example 3

大臣が会議で発表した。

Translation

The minister made an announcement at the meeting.

Example 4

新しい大臣が明日から仕事を始める。

Translation

The new minister will start work tomorrow.

Kanji 臣: retainer, subject | Daily Nihongo