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日本語
財団 — meaning in English: Foundation
zaidan · Learn this word with quizzes, examples and more on Maspeak.
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foundation
勝利
shōri
エディション
edishon
ベンチ
benchi
財団
zaidan
マネージャー
manējā
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formal
common
Usage
Native speakers commonly use the word 財団 (zaidan) in contexts related to non-profit organizations, educational institutions, and philanthropic endeavors. For instance, when discussing charitable foundations that support arts, education, or social causes, you might hear this term in news articles, speeches, or community meetings.
Synonyms & nuances
A close synonym for 財団 (zaidan) is 組織 (soshiki), which means 'organization.' However, while 組織 can refer to any type of group or entity, 財団 specifically denotes a foundation that typically has a charitable or educational purpose. This distinction makes 財団 the preferred term when discussing structured entities focused on altruism.
Culture
The term 財団 (zaidan) has its roots in the Chinese characters 財 (zai) meaning 'wealth' and 団 (dan) meaning 'group' or 'association'. In Japan, foundations have played a vital role in philanthropy since the Meiji era, often driving social progress and cultural exchanges. An interesting anecdote is that many famous cultural institutions in Japan, like the Tokyo National Museum, are managed by foundations, highlighting their importance in preserving heritage.
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