Meaning
Amount, frame, forehead — this character is often used for numerical amounts, physical or conceptual frames, and the human forehead.
- 金額 — amount of money
- 額縁 — picture frame
- 総額 — total amount
- 高額 — large amount
- 額面 — face value
The character 額 consists of 客 (guest/frame) and 頁 (head/forehead). It originally referred to the forehead, but also came to signify framed objects and specified amounts — symbolizing something "defined and enclosed."
彼は 額に 汗をかいていた。
He was sweating on his forehead.
彼女は 高額の 賞金を 受けとった。
She received a large cash prize.
The on-yomi ガク appears in most compound words like 金額 and 額縁. The kun-yomi ひたい (forehead) is occasionally used in daily speech.