宝

• Reading: たから
• Romaji: takara
• Kanji breakdown: 宝 (hou/takara) — treasure, precious
• Pronunciation: /ta.ka.ɾa/

Meaning

Treasure; something precious and highly valued.

A noun referring to valuable items, cherished possessions, or metaphorically to people and experiences one holds dear. Appears in compounds like 宝物 (takaramono, treasure/prized possession) and 宝くじ (takarakuji, lottery). Often used figuratively to describe children or irreplaceable things.

Examples

1. 子供は私にとって一番の宝だ。 My children are my greatest treasure.
2. 海賊が隠した宝を探す冒険映画が好きだ。 I love adventure movies about searching for pirate treasure.
3. 健康は何よりの宝だと祖母はよく言っていた。 My grandmother always said that health is the greatest treasure of all.

Usage Guide

Context: daily life, literature, proverbs

Tone: warm

Origin & History

The kanji 宝 combines 宀 (roof) and 玉 (jewel), representing precious items kept safely at home. Originally meant jewels or precious metals stored in a house.

Cultural Context

Era: Ancient

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal