KanjiGami
Remembering Kanji Made Easy.
176

Break Off, End, Absolute

た-つ (ta-tsu), た-える (ta-eru), た-やす (ta-yasu)

JLPT N3

Interesting Fact

The word 絶対 (zettai), meaning 'absolutely,' is one of the most frequently used expressions in Japanese. Ironically, the kanji originally meant 'to cut off completely,' giving the idea of something leaving no exceptions.

Memory Trick

Imagine cutting a ROPE so completely that the two ends can never be tied together again. The connection is ABSOLUTELY broken.

Readings

Onyomi: ゼツ (zetsu)

Kunyomi: た-つ (ta-tsu), た-える (ta-eru), た-やす (ta-yasu)

Example Words

絶対
ぜったい (zettai)
Absolutely
絶える
たえる (taeru)
To cease
絶滅
ぜつめつ (zetsumetsu)
Extinction
断絶
だんぜつ (danzetsu)
Severance

Example Sentence

今日は 絶対に 遅れません。

きょうは ぜったいに おくれません。

kyou wa zettai ni okuremasen

I absolutely won't be late today.

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