佐
佐·assist, aid, field officer rank
- On-yomi
- サ
- Kun-yomi
- none
By Nihongo PathUpdated
Stroke order
Write it in this order; the numbers mark where each stroke starts.
Common words
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 補佐 | ほさ | aide, assistance |
| 大佐 | たいさ | colonel, (navy) captain |
| 少佐 | しょうさ | major, lieutenant commander |
| 中佐 | ちゅうさ | lieutenant colonel, commander |
Example sentences
彼は社長の補佐を務めている。
かれはしゃちょうのほさをつとめている。
He serves as an aide to the company president.
その部隊は大佐が率いていた。
そのぶたいはたいさがひきいていた。
That unit was led by a colonel.
Similar-looking kanji
Do not confuse these on the exam.
Common mistakes
- Reading 補佐 as ほうさ — it is ほさ, with a short first syllable
- Assuming 佐 only appears in names like 佐藤 — 補佐 and the officer ranks are ordinary vocabulary
Memory aid
Picture it
亻 plus 左: the person standing at your left hand, there to help you — an assistant.
Quick check
1 / 2Multiple choiceDifficulty 4 of 5
What does the kanji 佐 mean?