注

• Reading: ちゅう
• Romaji: chuu
• Kanji breakdown: 注 (chuu) — pour, annotate, note
• Pronunciation: /tɕɯː/

Meaning

Note; annotation; explanatory comment. A supplementary remark added to clarify text.

A noun that also functions as a suru verb (注する, to annotate). Used in written contexts for footnotes and explanatory notes: 注をつける (to add annotations), 注を参照 (see notes). Common compounds include 注意 (caution), 注釈 (commentary), 脚注 (footnote). Frequently seen in textbooks, academic papers, and official documents.

Examples

1. 教科書の注を読んで意味を確認した。 I read the notes in the textbook to check the meaning.
2. 難しい表現には注がついている。 Difficult expressions have annotations attached to them.
3. レポートの最後に注をつけた。 I added notes at the end of the report.

Usage Guide

Context: academic, textbooks, writing

Tone: informative

Origin & History

The kanji 注 combines 氵 (water radical) and 主 (master/main). Originally meant 'to pour' water — then extended to 'pouring' attention or explanation onto something, becoming 'annotation.'

Cultural Context

Era: Classical

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal