What does 銀 mean in Japanese?
銀 means “silver” in Japanese. You will often see it in practical words such as 銀 (silver), 銀行 (bank), and 銀色 (silver color).
For learners, the key is to study 銀 through real vocabulary. The examples below show how the kanji works in words, sentences, and related kanji.
Reading
On’yomi: ギン (gin)
Kun’yomi: —
Basic Information
| Kanji | 銀 |
|---|
How to Understand This Kanji
銀 is not limited to one English translation. In 銀 (ぎん), it means silver; in 銀行 (ぎんこう), it points to bank; and in 銀色 (ぎんいろ), it is used for silver color. Reading these compounds side by side helps you understand the range of the kanji.
Common Words
- 銀（ぎん / gin） — silver
- 銀行（ぎんこう / ginkō） — bank
- 銀色（ぎんいろ / giniro） — silver color
- 銀河（ぎんが / ginga） — galaxy
- 銀メダル（ぎんメダル / ginmedaru） — silver medal
- 白銀（しろがね / shirogane） — silver; silvery white
Example Sentences
-
銀の指輪を買いました。
ぎんのゆびわをかいました。 / Gin no yubiwa o kaimashita.
I bought a silver ring.
-
銀行でお金を下ろしました。
ぎんこうでおかねをおろしました。 / Ginkō de okane o oroshimashita.
I withdrew money at the bank.
-
銀色の車が走っています。
ぎんいろのくるまがはしっています。 / Gin-iro no kuruma ga hashitte imasu.
A silver car is driving by.
When Learners Usually See This Kanji
Start with 銀 (ぎん / gin) because it keeps the core meaning of 銀 clear. Then add 銀行 and 銀色 to see how the reading and meaning shift in real vocabulary. Do not memorize 銀 as a single English word; connect it to actual words and example sentences.
Summary
銀 means “silver” and appears in useful Japanese words such as 銀, 銀行, and 銀色.