存

JLPT N3

Exist, keep

Readings

On’yomi: ソン, ゾン (son, zon)

Vocabulary

存在
そんざい
existence
保存
γ»γžγ‚“
preservation
存碚
γγ‚“γžγ
continuation
η”Ÿε­˜
γ›γ„γžγ‚“
survival
依存
γ„γžγ‚“
dependence

Example Sentences

ε­˜εœ¨γ—γΎγ™γ€‚
そんざい します。
It exists.
ι£Ÿε“γ‚’δΏε­˜γ—γΎγ™γ€‚
しょくひん γ‚’ γ»γžγ‚“ します。
I preserve food.
δΌšη€ΎγŒε­˜ηΆšγ—γΎγ™γ€‚
かいしゃ が γγ‚“γžγ します。
The company continues.
η”Ÿε­˜θ€…γ§γ™γ€‚
γ›γ„γžγ‚“γ—γ‚ƒ です。
He is a survivor.
δΎε­˜γ—γΎγ™γ€‚
γ„γžγ‚“ します。
It depends.

Cultural Note

🌸 The kanji 存 carries nuances of respect, humility, and awareness in Japanese culture.
β€’ Phrases like γ”ε­˜γ˜ (gozonji) are humble or polite expressions meaning β€œto know,” reflecting the cultural emphasis on social respect.
β€’ In philosophical or Buddhist contexts, 存在 (existence) explores the nature of life and being.
β€’ Business and formal speech often use ε­˜γ˜γΎγ™ (γžγ‚“γ˜γΎγ™) β€” β€œI know” or β€œI think” β€” as a humble expression.