借: the kanji for borrow
借 is a JLPT N4 kanji that means borrow. Below are its readings, 7 common words and example sentences, all with audio.
Stroke order
借 is written in 10 strokes. The red stroke is the one to write next, and the dot shows where it starts.
Words by reading
借 has 2 readings in the official Jōyō Kanji Table. Below are 7 common words grouped by reading. Tap ▶ to hear each word (audio plays with a free account).
シャク (shaku)
On reading.
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 借金しゃっきん · shakkin | debt; loan |
| 借用しゃくよう · shakuyō | borrowing |
| 賃借ちんしゃく · chinshaku | renting |
| 借家しゃくや · shakuya | rented house |
かりる (kariru)
Kun reading.
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 借りるかりる · kariru | to borrow; to rent |
| 借りかり · kari | debt; a favor owed |
| 前借りまえがり · maegari | advance (on pay) |
Example sentences for work and daily life
- ペンを借りてもいいですか。Pen o karite mo ii desu ka.May I borrow a pen?
- 駅の近くにアパートを借りました。Eki no chikaku ni apāto o karimashita.I rented an apartment near the station.
- 図書館で本を三冊借りました。Toshokan de hon o sansatsu karimashita.I borrowed three books from the library.
- お力をお借りしたいのですが。O-chikara o o-kari shitai no desu ga.I was hoping I could ask for your help.
- この場をお借りしてお礼を申し上げます。Kono ba o o-kari shite o-rei o mōshiagemasu.I'd like to take this opportunity to thank you.
- 住宅の借金を返しています。Jūtaku no shakkin o kaeshite imasu.I'm paying off my home loan.
Questions about 借
How many strokes does 借 have?
借 is written in 10 strokes. The stroke order is shown at the top of this page.
What are the readings of 借?
The on readings are shaku (シャク). The kun readings are kariru (かりる).
What does この場をお借りして mean?
この場をお借りして (kono ba o o-kari shite) means "taking this opportunity." Speakers use it at events and in newsletters before thanking people, as in この場をお借りしてお礼申し上げます.
What JLPT level is 借?
N4. The JLPT does not publish official kanji lists, so this level is a guide based on the official Test Content Specifications used through 2009.
About the JLPT level
The JLPT does not publish official lists of kanji for each level. The level on this page is a guide based on the official Test Content Specifications used for the test through 2009. The JLPT states that the current N4 is designed to match the former Level 3.
More JLPT N4 kanji
Work and money
Executive Japanese by CCN is one-on-one online Japanese for managers and directors doing business in Japan.
Sources
- Jōyō Kanji Table (常用漢字表), Agency for Cultural Affairs, Government of Japan, 2010: readings and special readings of 借
- JLPT Frequently Asked Questions, The Japan Foundation and Japan Educational Exchanges and Services: how current levels match the former levels
- Stroke order diagrams are based on KanjiVG by Ulrich Apel, used under CC BY-SA 3.0. The diagrams on this page are shared under the same license.