辞書
じしょ · jisho · JLPT N5 · noun
dictionary
📖 辞書 = words (辞) + book (書): a book of words
辞 (ji) means words or expressions, as in 辞典 (jiten), another term for dictionary. 書 (sho) means writing or book, as in 書道 (shodō, calligraphy). Put together, ji + sho is literally a word-book.
辞 — 舌 (tongue) + 辛 (bitter/blade)
Originally written 辭, depicting hands sorting tangled threads beside 辛 (a knife or judgment), meaning to settle disputes with words. The modern simplified form replaces the left side with 舌 (tongue), reinforcing the speech sense. Meanings extended from 'legal statement' to 'words, phrases, to take leave.'