カテゴリー: O

This kanji consists of two parts. At the top is an element depicting a person lying down on a mat. Over time, this idea of resting on or depending on something evolved to mean ‘cause,’ ‘root,’ or ‘origin.’ At the bottom is the ‘heart’ radical. Combined, this kanji represents a foundational human emotion—a feeling of gratitude and owing thanks to others in daily life.

Words and phrases

• 恩義(ongi):A favor you are morally obligated to repay.
• 恩師(onshi):A mentor to whom I owe a great debt of gratitude.
• 恩人(onjin):Someone who took great care of me.

This kanji is made of two parts. On the left is the ‘eye’ radical. On the right is an element showing firewood stacked high to build a large bonfire. Combined, this kanji originally represented seeing clearly by the light of a fire. Over time, it came to mean ‘obvious,’ ‘clear,’ or ‘undoubted.’

This kanji consists of two parts. On the left is the ‘word’ radical, which originally represented a sacred oath made before God—one so absolute that breaking it meant punishment by the sword. On the right is an element showing a hand holding a tool or weapon to strike a target. Together, the kanji originally meant to direct people using words. Over time, its meaning expanded to organizing, establishing, or building something.

This kanji consists of two parts. On the left is the “heart” radical, and on the right is a component showing something rising up from within, like a mountain swollen with magma. Together, it conveys a feeling of “outrage” or “bitterness.”

This kanji depicts someone shading their eyes with a hand to watch something carefully. Therefore, this kanji means “to observe” or “to watch.” By extension, it came to be used for nursing or taking care of someone.

This shape depicts golden ears of grain. The character directly visualizes the form of the crop itself.

At the top of this shape is a field, from which a waterfall comes rushing down with a splash, while the sun rises in the distance. This character means the ‘origin’ of all things.

This kanji perfectly captures the image of smoke rising up from a house window. Just as it looks, the energy of moving ‘further upward’ gives this character the meaning of ‘OVER’ or ‘ESTEEMED’ (High status).

In this character, you can see a sacred fire for ancestors placed upon a human skull. Ancient people believed it was vital to remember what their ancestors had done. This is how this kanji came to mean ‘OLD’ or ‘ANCIENT.’