Onyomi: シャ · Kunyomi: やしろ · Meanings: association, company, firm, office, shrine
Kanji for association, company, firm, office, shrine
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The kanji 社 combines the “earth/soil” radical (土) with the “spirit” radical (示), symbolizing a sacred place on the ground where people gather to honor deities. In ancient times, it referred to a community shrine or place of worship. 社 came to mean shrine, company, or society, capturing the sense of gathering, organization, and shared purpose.
Earth and spirit together — 社 means shrine, company, or society.
Imagine people gathering at a sacred place on the earth — that’s 社, the kanji for shrine, company, or community.
| Word | Reading | Meaning | Meta |
|---|---|---|---|
| 社 | やしろ | (Shinto) shrine | JLPT-N1 Noun |
| 社 | しゃ | company, firm, office, association, society | Noun |
| 社会 | しゃかい | society, public, community, the world | common JLPT-N4 Noun |
| 社説 | しゃせつ | editorial, leading article, leader | common JLPT-N2 Noun |
| 社会科学 | しゃかいかがく | social science | common JLPT-N2 Noun |
| 社長 | しゃちょう | company president, manager, director | common JLPT-N4 Noun |
| 社交 | しゃこう | social life, social intercourse | common JLPT-N1 Noun, Noun which may take the genitive case particle 'no' |
| 社会学 | しゃかいがく | sociology | common Noun |
| 社会保障 | しゃかいほしょう | social security | common Noun, Noun which may take the genitive case particle 'no' |
| 社会問題 | しゃかいもんだい | social problem | common Noun |