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TRIPS AND TRIBES

族・旅

 

 

族 and 旅 look very similar. A closer look at the elements of each one will make them easier to keep apart in your mental kanji file.

 

族

ゾク

family; tribe

家族(かぞく) family

部族(ぶぞく) tribe

民族(みんぞく) race; nation

 

 

旅

リョ、たび

trip; journey

旅行(りょこう) trip; travel

旅先(たびさき) destination

旅費(りょひ)travel expenses

 

The structural difference between these two kanji can be found in the lower right-hand portion of each one. In族, the lower-right hand component is an arrow, 矢. In旅, the component here was originally supposed to represent two people,人. 

Mnemonic: The tribe 族defends itself with arrows, while the people go on a trip 旅.