けん

ticket, certificate

JLPT N3

Character Breakdown

Meaning and Usage

The word "券" (けん) primarily refers to a ticket or certificate that grants access or proof of a right, such as admission tickets, coupons, or vouchers. It is commonly used in everyday situations involving transportation, events, or discounts.

Common Collocations

  • 映画券 (えいがけん): movie ticket
  • 割引券 (わりびきけん): discount coupon
  • 入場券 (にゅうじょうけん): admission ticket

These collocations are frequently used in daily conversation and written notices.

Register and Politeness

"券" is a neutral noun and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. When combined with polite verbs or expressions, it fits well in polite speech.

Usage Tips

When using "券," it often appears as part of compound words specifying the type of ticket or certificate. Learners should be careful not to confuse "券" with "券売機" (けんばいき, ticket vending machine), which includes the same character but refers to a machine.

Also, "券" is different from "切符" (きっぷ), another word for ticket, which is more commonly used for train or bus tickets, while "券" is more general and used for various types of tickets and coupons.

Example Sentences

えいがのけんをかいました。

I bought a movie ticket.

このけんはわりびきにつかえます。

This coupon can be used for a discount.

にゅうじょうけんをわすれないでください。

Please don't forget your admission ticket.