精算
せいさん · seisan · JLPT N3 · noun
calculation
🧮🎫 精算 = precise + calculate, so a fine-tuned final tally
精 means refined or precise (as in 精密, precision) and 算 means to calculate (as in 計算). Japanese train stations have a 精算機, a fare adjustment machine where you pay the difference when your ticket was short. Seisan is the step where you settle the exact amount.
精 — rice 米 + blue/green 青 (phonetic)
A semantic-phonetic compound: 米 (rice) gives the meaning, while 青 supplies the sound. Originally referred to polished, refined rice — grain with the husk removed. The sense broadened to 'refined, pure, essence,' and later 'fine, skilled, spirit.'
算 — bamboo 竹 + abacus 具 (eye 目 + two hands 廾)
Originally depicted counting with bamboo rods on an abacus-like device. The top 竹 (bamboo) refers to the bamboo counting sticks used in ancient Chinese arithmetic, while the bottom shows hands manipulating them. The meaning broadened from 'to count' to 'to calculate' or 'to plan'.