Translation and Meaning of: 貸し - kashi

The Japanese word 貸し [かし] may seem simple at first glance, but it carries interesting nuances for those learning the language. In this article, we will explore its meaning, origin, and how it is used in everyday Japanese. If you have ever wondered how to memorize this term or in what contexts it appears, keep reading to find out more in the best Japanese dictionary, Suki Nihongo.

Meaning and usage of 貸し

貸し is a noun that means "loan" or "rent" and is directly related to the idea of temporarily giving something. Unlike words like 借り (which indicates borrowing), 貸し focuses on the act of lending. This distinction is essential to avoid confusion when speaking or writing in Japanese.

In daily life, you might encounter it in situations such as renting an apartment (アパートを貸す) or lending money (お金を貸す). It also appears in expressions like 貸し切り (exclusive reservation), common in restaurants and private spaces. The word has a neutral tone, without positive or negative connotations, being purely functional.

Origin and writing of kanji

The kanji 貸 is composed of the radical 貝 (which represents money or value) and the component 代 (which suggests substitution or exchange). This combination reflects the concept of "lending something in exchange for a value" well. The etymology refers to the period when objects and resources were temporarily lent, an ancient practice in Japanese culture.

It is worth noting that 貸し is the nominalized form of the verb 貸す (to lend). This detail helps to understand why it appears in constructions like 貸し出し (loan of items in libraries, for example). If you are studying Japanese, noticing these connections can facilitate memorization.

Tips for memorization and curiosities

An effective way to reinforce 貸し is to associate it with practical situations. Imagine yourself in a real estate agency in Japan: seeing ads for 貸し部屋 (room for rent) or 貸し駐車場 (rented parking) strengthens the learning. Repeating phrases like "この本を貸してください" ("Please lend me this book") also helps.

Interestingly, 貸し is not one of the most frequently used words in everyday Japanese, but it appears quite often in formal and commercial contexts. Data from the Balanced Corpus of Contemporary Written Japanese shows that it is used more in contracts, ments, and legal documents than in informal conversations. This does not diminish its importance, just highlights its specific niche of usage.

Vocabulary

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Synonyms and similar words

• 貸借 (Taishaku) - Loan, usually in formal agreements.
• 貸付 (Kashitsuke) - Loan, focused on specific credit conditions.
• 貸与 (Kaiyo) - Lease or loan, usually of non-monetary goods.
• 貸し出し (Kashidashi) - Loan, generally used in contexts of libraries or services.
• 貸し借り (Kashikari) - Lending and returning, emphasizing reciprocity.
• 貸し出す (Kashidasu) - The act of lending, focus on the action of giving something on loan.
• 貸し出し中 (Kashidashi-chuu) - Loan in progress, indicating that something is currently on loan.
• 貸し出し可能 (Kashidashi kanou) - Available for loan, indicating that a item can be borrowed.
• 貸し出し期間 (Kashidashi kikan) - Loan duration, specifying the period during which a item can be borrowed.
• 貸し出し条件 (Kashidashi jyouken) - Loan conditions, rules, or criteria that must be met.
• 貸し出し手続き (Kashidashi tetsuzuki) - Loan procedures, steps to be followed to take out a loan.
• 貸し出し制限 (Kashidashi seigen) - Loan restrictions, limits on what and how much can be borrowed.
• 貸し出し額 (Kashidashi gaku) - Loan amount, referring to the quantity of money or items borrowed.
• 貸し倒れ (Kashidaore) - Default, a situation in which a loan is not repaid.
• 貸し手 (Kashite) - Creditor, the person or entity that lends.
• 貸し手数料 (Kashite suuryo) - Creditor rate, charges applied for the loan.
• 貸し渋る (Kashi shiburu) - Resisting to lend, aversion or hesitation in providing loans.
• 貸し値 (Kashi-ne) - Loan rate, the price or condition under which something is borrowed.
• 貸し出し状況 (Kashidashi joukyou) - Loan status, the current condition of borrowed items.
• 貸し出し予約 (Kashidashi yoyaku) - Loan reservation, the act of reserving a item for future borrowing.
• 貸し借りする (Kashikari suru) - Make loans and returns, emphasizing the mutual act.
• 貸し借り人 (Kashikari-nin) - Loan / borrower, someone who takes or lends.
• 貸し借り書 (Kashikari-sho) - Loan documentation, formal records of loans.
• 貸し借り帳 (Kashikari-chou) - Loan book, a record of loan transactions.
• 貸し (Kashi) - Loan can refer generically to the act of providing a loan.