拝借

はいしゃく · haishaku · JLPT N1 · noun

borrowing

拝 = humbly receive + 借 = borrow, so 拝借 = humbly borrow (polite form)

拝 is a humble prefix meaning to receive respectfully, and 借 means to borrow. Use 拝借 when asking to borrow something from a superior or customer, not with friends.

借 — person radical 亻 + 昔 (formerly)
借 combines the person radical 亻 with 昔, which provides the sound and originally meant 'former times.' The character depicts a person engaging in an act tied to time — borrowing or lending something with the expectation of return. Today it means 'to borrow' or 'to lend.'

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