カテゴリー: T

In modern Japanese, this kanji has little concrete meaning on its own, as it primarily functions as a grammatical particle or connective word. Historically, scholars propose three prominent theories regarding its pictographic origins:

An unstrung bowstring: It depicts a bow with its string unfastened and hanging loosely down, symbolizing something lingering, extended, or flowing naturally.

An umbilical cord: It portrays an umbilical cord connected to a newborn or mother, originally signifying ‘becoming pregnant’ or the nurturing of new life.

Slowly exhaled breath: It represents breath or vital energy lingering as it is released from the body, signifying smooth continuity or transition.“

Because of its graceful brush strokes and gentle phonetic rhythm, it is widely used in both boys’ and girls’ given names.

This kanji depicts a person twisting their hips while walking. From this motion, the character came to mean ‘to twist’ or ‘to cross.

Words & Phrases

• 交易（koueki）:to trade
• 交換（koukan):exchange
• 交響曲（koukyoukyoku):symphony

This kanji is made of two parts. On the left is the ‘mouth’ radical. On the right is an element depicting a person lying down on a mat, which evolved over time to mean ‘cause,’ ‘root,’ or ‘origin.’ Combined, this kanji represents the root or deep origin of the mouth, which came to mean ‘throat.’

Words & Phrases

• 咽喉(inkou):The throat as a whole

This kanji is made of two parts. On the left is the ‘human’ radical. On the right is the ‘mumbling’ radical, which represents something soft, rising, and fluffy like clouds. Combined, this kanji means to speak vaguely to someone or to mumble words quietly.

This kanji is made of two parts. On the left is the ‘bull’ radical, depicting a bull’s face with horns. On the right is the ‘do not’ radical, depicting cloths or streamers fluttering in the wind so quickly that they become blurred and vanish. Combined, this kanji originally represented various animals whose names people did not know. By extension, it came to mean everything that exists on Earth.

On the left side of this kanji is the ‘word’ radical, which combines a sword and a mouth to represent a sacred promise made to God. On the right is an element depicting a footprint stopping in front of a line, symbolizing halting someone before they go in the wrong direction. Combined, this kanji came to mean ‘testimony’ or ‘proof.’

This kanji combines two parts: the ‘white’ radical on the left, symbolizing a white skull, and a right-side symbol for something bound tightly. Together, they originally depicted a bright white target set up for practice. Over time, it came to mean a target, a goal, or a specific focus.

At the top of this character is the “roof” radical, and below it is the “moon” radical topped with a small light symbol. Together, they depict faint light entering a house at dawn, giving the character the meaning of “early morning” or “twilight.”

This kanji consists of two components: the top part shows a spool keeping threads organized, while the bottom part is the “heart” radical. Together, it originally depicted guiding and disciplining one’s mind into order, like neatly winding thread. Over time, it came to mean “to restrain oneself,” “humility,” and eventually “taboo” or “avoidance.”

This kanji consists of two parts. On the left is the “harvest” (grain) radical, and on the right is a component representing shedding or taking away. Together, this kanji means “tax”—originating from the idea of crops being ruthlessly taken away as tax from the farmers who grew them.