Readings: ゼイ (Onyomi), (Kunyomi)
Meaning: tax, duty
The kanji 税 is composed of 禾 (nogihen), meaning “grain” or “crop,” and 兌 (datsu), which means “exchange” or “to please,” and also provides the sound component “zei.” Historically, taxes were often levied on crops, and 兌 represents the act of collecting or exchanging something. Thus, it conceptually represents the collection of grain/goods as a tax.
View JLPT N2 Kanji ListHow to Write – Stroke Order
The stroke order for 税 starts with the left radical 禾 (nogihen), followed by the right component 兑. For 禾: start with the vertical stroke (1), then the horizontal (2), then the left sweeping stroke (3), then the right sweeping stroke (4). For 兑: start with the top “八” component (5-6), then the vertical stroke (7), then the “口” component (8-10), and finally the bottom “儿” component (11-12).
Kanji Details
| Radical | 禾 (のぎへん) |
|---|---|
| Strokes | 12 |
| JLPT Level | N2 |
| Grade | JLPT N2 level |
Readings with English Transcription
Onyomi (Chinese readings)
- ゼイ (zei)
Common Words Using 税
Onyomi Readings
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 税金 | ぜいきん | tax money |
| 消費税 | しょうひぜい | consumption tax |
| 納税 | のうぜい | tax payment |
| 免税 | めんぜい | tax exemption |
| 減税 | げんぜい | tax reduction |
| 課税 | かぜい | taxation |
| 税関 | ぜいかん | customs |
| 税率 | ぜいりつ | tax rate |
| 増税 | ぞうぜい | tax increase |
| 所得税 | しょとくぜい | income tax |
Example Sentences
Japanese: 日本の消費税は10％です。
Kana: にほんのしょうひぜいはじゅうパーセントです。
Romaji: Nihon no shouhizei wa juu paasento desu.
English: Japan’s consumption tax is 10%.
Japanese: 税金を払うのは国民の義務です。
Kana: ぜいきんをはらうのはこくみんのぎむです。
Romaji: Zeikin o harau no wa kokumin no gimu desu.
English: Paying taxes is a citizen’s duty.
Japanese: 彼は税理士に相談した。
Kana: かれはぜいりしにそうだんした。
Romaji: Kare wa zeirishi ni soudan shita.
English: He consulted a tax accountant.
Japanese: 免税店で買い物をした。
Kana: めんぜいてんでかいものをした。
Romaji: Menzeiten de kaimono o shita.
English: I shopped at a duty-free shop.
Japanese: 今年は減税される予定だ。
Kana: ことしはげんぜいされるよていだ。
Romaji: Kotoshi wa genzei sareru yotei da.
English: A tax cut is planned for this year.
Japanese: この商品は課税対象です。
Kana: このしょうひんはかぜいたいしょうです。
Romaji: Kono shouhin wa kazei taishou desu.
English: This product is subject to taxation.
Japanese: 海外旅行から帰国する際、税関を通ります。
Kana: かいがいりょこうからきこくするさい、ぜいかんをとおります。
Romaji: Kaigai ryokou kara kikoku suru sai, zeikan o toorimasu.
English: When returning from an overseas trip, you pass through customs.
Japanese: 新しい税率が導入された。
Kana: あたらしいぜいりつがどうにゅうされた。
Romaji: Atarashii zeiritsu ga dounyuu sareta.
English: A new tax rate was introduced.
Japanese: 政府は増税を検討している。
Kana: せいふはぞうぜいをけんとうしている。
Romaji: Seifu wa zouzei o kentou shiteiru.
English: The government is considering a tax increase.
Japanese: 所得税の計算は複雑だ。
Kana: しょとくぜいのでんさんはふくざつだ。
Romaji: Shotokuzei no keisan wa fukuzatsu da.
English: The calculation of income tax is complicated.
Related Grammar & kanji list
Expand your study with grammar and kanji lists for other JLPT levels:
I’m a software engineer based in Japan, with experience in developing web and mobile applications. I’m passionate about technology, especially in DevOps, AI, and app development using platforms like AWS, Flutter, and Node.js. My goal is to build a website that shares knowledge about the Japanese language and IT, helping everyone learn and grow more easily in the digital era.