Kanji 才

音読おんよみ: サイ

訓読くんよみ: none*

画数かくすう: 3 strokes

部首ぶしゅ: 手(て)

Meaning

Talent / ability / genius
also abbreviated age marker

  • 天才てんさい — genius
  • 才能さいのう — talent
  • 才女さいじょ — talented woman
  • 多才たさい — multitalented
  • 秀才しゅうさい — excellent student
  • 英才えいさい — gifted child

The kanji 才 originally came from a pictograph showing a hand and a tree. It was borrowed phonetically to represent the concept of innate talent or ability. It is also used as an age suffix, like “5才” (5 years old).

かれ天才てんさいです。
He is a genius.

山田やまださんは 多才たさいひとです。
Mr. Yamada is a multitalented person.

能
Creates
才能さいのう — talent
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