カテゴリー: C

On the left is the “horse” radical, and on the right is a component meaning something thin or flat, like a nameplate hung on a door. Together, this kanji originally depicted someone hopping lightly onto a horse and quickly riding away. By extension, it came to mean “to cheat” or “to trick” someone!

This kanji depicts a thread and a reel. Just like neatly winding thread onto a spool, it represents a chronicle—methodically recording history and societal rules step by step.

This kanji consists of two parts. On the left is the “cloth/flag” radical, and on the right is “venture”—which depicts someone moving forward with their eyes covered. Together, they represent a cap or hat made of cloth.

This kanji symbolically depicts a sword and the cut line it leaves behind. Therefore, this kanji means ‘to cut.’

This kanji consists of two parts. The top part is “SOUND,” which originally depicted a vessel producing a sound. Below it is “HEART.” Together, they express a word or thought inside one’s heart that hasn’t been spoken aloud. Therefore, this kanji means “consciousness,” “thought,” or “intention.”

This kanji consists of several components used when building something, such as bamboo, a hammer, a tray, and wood. Therefore, this kanji came to mean ‘to build’ or ‘to construct’ using tools and materials.

This kanji consists of three parts: footprints at the top, a breathing mouth in the middle, and a mountain (or slope) at the bottom. As you might imagine, it depicts someone breathing heavily while stepping up a mountain, which is why this kanji means ‘to climb.’

This kanji originally depicted an ancient clay pot or jar used for storing food and sake. Today, we use it to mean ‘can’ or ‘tin’—a metal container for food and drinks.

This kanji depicts a large building with tall pillars and a wide roof. Thus, it came to mean the place where such grand buildings gather—that is, ‘the capital.’ Both the former capital, Kyoto, and the current capital, Tokyo, have this kanji in their names.

This kanji depicts holding bamboo sticks in both hands to calculate. By extension, it has come to mean ‘calculate’ or ‘mathematics’.