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An Etymological Dictionary of Chinese Characters
Interpretations by Lawrence J. Howell and Hikaru Morimoto |
| Covering 6,500 Chinese characters as used in Japan |
Word Family of Terms Originally Pronounced KAR
Semantic Values of the Sound KAR: Frame + Continuum
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This extensive word family contains many terms in which the framing objects themselves are elongated. Examples include
A long, wooden crossbar (架)
A long pole slung over the back (何)
A long spear with a serrated cutting edge (我)
A tall pile of meat (宜), or of gifts (賀)
A staircase (階)
The skin (肌)
A long garment (衣)
A long connecting cord (鶏, 系)
The joining of severed threads (継)
In other cases, what is elongated is the sound produced by the framing object, as in 加, 可 and 歌.
Another sense is of continuous action impacting upon the framing object, as in
Sobbing at length (哀)
Eating at leisure (既)
Prolonged prayer (祈)
Prolonged lack of food (幾)
Repeated contact of moving parts in a machine (機)
Among the non-Everyday Use Characters, we find the following examples:
A long container (匸)
Eating at leisure (旡)
A long piece of leather serving as equestrian headgear (羈)
A tall pile of food (豈, 嘉 and 凱)
The head of a tall person (頎)
Prolonged singing, laughing, or scolding (哥, 呵, 訶, 喈)
A plant that creates prolonged irritation in the throat (苛)
Winding heights (阿)
A chronic illness (痾)
A promontory (埼, 碕)
Rippling waves (漪)
Leaning of the body (欹, 椅, 倚)
Dragging of a leg (掎, 踦)
A row of slaves (奚)
A connecting footpath (蹊, 徯)
Objects covered with a long veil (叚)
A multi-layered flower resting atop a stem (茄)
Reeds overlaying a pond (葭)
A boar with tusks overlaying the mouth (豭)
A reed flute created by overlapping layers of material (笳)
A rainbow overlaying the sky (霓)
A long chain of clouds (曀)
A cloud of steam rising from cooked grain (餼)
A permanent scab (痂)
A protracted illness (痎)
Legs extended upon the thighs in a seated posture (跏)
A steep mountain with serrated ridges (峨, 嶬, 巇)
A tree with pinnately compound leaves (楷)
Plants with serrated leaves or sharp protrusions (莪, 薊)
Aligned stalks (稭)
A string of bells attached to a flagpole (旂)
Prolonged pouring or irrigation (漑, 洎)
A fan waved in long, leisurely strokes (翳)
A jewel with a banded pattern (珂)
The unceasing activity of ants (蟻)
Preserved food (耆, 稽 and 鮨)
Vinegar produced by prolonged fermentation (醯)
Prolonged chewing (齮)
A settlement spreading at length (祁)
Hair stood on end (毅)
Prolonged sharpening of a knife (剴)
Prolonged wiping (揩)
Prolonged carving/engraving (剞)
Prolonged sawing/chiseling (錡)
Prolonged sucking of blood on the part of a leech (蟣)
Prolonged preparation for launching a vessel (檥)
The plastering of a wall (墍)
A creature that produces offspring in quick succession (鼷)
Angled implements/vessels (柯, 舸, 軻)
A sharply angled rock (礒)
Armor created of linked pieces of metal (鎧, 鍜)
Extensions of meaning or abstract applications of the senses noted above are found in the remaining characters in this group.
加 (5) カ；くわ（える・わる）
力 power/energy + 口 mouth → cup a hand about the mouth to amplify one's speech, permitting it to carry a great distance → add; append; increase → join (in); inflict (← have a direct effect upon).
架 (9) カ；か（かる・ける）
加 (Type 1 Phonetic) add to + 木 tree/wood → lengthy wooden crossbar (compare 桀) added to undergirdings → put on; build → span; bridge girder.
賀 (12) ガ
加 (Type 1 Phonetic) add to + 貝 commodities → tall, spiral pile of gifts → congratulations (← congratulatory occasion on which presents are offered).
可 (5) カ S/B 
S/B is a representation of a bent hook + 口 mouth → speak at length with a hoarse voice, produced by a bent, constricted throat → possible (← be possible to succeed in spite of obstacles) → approve (← approve of what has been attained after overcoming obstacles).
河 (8) カ；かわ
As per 可 (Type 1 Phonetic) (bend) + 水 water → long river with multiple bends. Compare 川
歌 (14) カ；うた；うた（う） Alternate Form 謌
As per 哥 (Type 1 Phonetic) (sing at length, bending the body) + 欠 bent, open-mouthed figure → sing at length → song → poem; tanka. 歌 was devised to express the original meaning of 哥 after the latter was borrowed to express "elder brother."
何 (7) カ；なに；なん S/B  BIS  SIS 
S/B is a pictograph of a person shouldering a load hung from a long pole. BIS and SIS, though, are 人 + 可 (Type 1 Phonetic) (bend). What is a borrowing.
荷 (10) カ；に
何 (Type 1 Phonetic) in its original sense of "bear a load" + 艸 grass/plant → lotus (plant borne upon water, and that spreads at length over the surface). Bear a load, (a) load, burden and undertake are meanings applied after 何 was borrowed to express "what."
奇 (8) キ Alternate Form 竒
可 (Type 1 Phonetic) bend + 大 person standing outstretched → leaning, lame person → strange; wondrous.
寄 (11) キ；よ（せる・る）
As per 奇 (Type 1 Phonetic) (lean) + 宀 roof/building → incline toward/lean upon a building → approach; draw near; bring near; call at/upon; step aside → depend on; gather (← call at another's dwelling for food and shelter) → add (up to) (← gather). Also, entrust (← be entrusted with the care of others) and send (← have objects brought to another).
崎 (11) キ；さき Alternate Form 嵜
As per 奇 (Type 1 Phonetic) (lean) + 山 mountain → slope; incline → steep → cape; promontory (← land that thrusts at length into the ocean). Compare 埼 and 碕.
騎 (18) キ
As per 奇 (Type 1 Phonetic) (lean) + 馬 horse → rider leaning on a horse → horse riding; counter for horsemen.
我 (7) ガ；わ；われ S/B 
S/B is a pictograph of a long spear with a serrated cutting edge. Self and I/me/my are borrowed meanings.
餓 (15) ガ；うえ；う（える）
As per 我 (Type 1 Phonetic) (long spear) + 食 food/eating → long, lean appearance of one suffering from a lack of food (same as for 飢) → hunger; starvation.
義 (13) ギ
As per 我 (Type 1 Phonetic) (stabbing/cutting implement with a serrated edge) + 羊 sheep → make a slow, ritual sacrifice of a sheep → honor; justice; meaning; dutiful.
儀 (15) ギ
As per 義 (Type 1 Phonetic) (serrated knife used in the slow, ritual sacrifice of a sheep) + 人 person → person conducting a sacrificial ceremony → rules → follow; obey (good standards). Matters is a borrowing.
犠 (17) ギ Formerly 犧
As per 義 (Type 1 Phonetic) (serrated knife used in the slow, ritual sacrifice of a sheep) + 牛 cow → sacrifice a cow. The 兮 element in 犧 suggested the sound of the sacrificial bovine's agonized struggle for breath.
議 (20) ギ
As per 義 (Type 1 Phonetic) (serrated knife used in the slow, ritual sacrifice of a sheep) + 言 words → slow, considered discussion (compare 啓 and 計) carried on in a ceremonious manner → deliberation; debate → dispute.
宜 (8) ギ BIS 
BIS is 宀 roof/building + 多 (Type 3 Phonetic) (originally, piled meat) → tall, neat pile of meat in a room → good; right (← neat).
戯 (15) ギ；たわむ（れる） Formerly 戲
Abbreviated form of 虚 (Type 8 Phonetic) hollow + 豆 (food stand → upright object) + 戈 spear/halberd → position a long spear in the ground as a trap for game → sport with (← hunt as a sport ← hunt). Laugh uproariously, frolic, joke, play, tease, flirt and theater are all borrowed meanings. The present form is a simplification.
皆 (9) カイ；みな；みんな
As per 比 (Type 3 Phonetic) (line up people) + 白 (here, not "white" but an abbreviated form of 自 self). As in 習, the 白/自 element acts as an action indicator. → line up many people → all; everyone; everything.
階 (12) カイ
As per 皆 (Type 1 Phonetic) (line up) + 阜 piled earth → stair; step → ladder; class; floor.
肌 (6) キ；はだ
几 (Type 2 Phonetic) (long and narrow) desk/table (→ long and lean) + 肉 flesh → skin (← flesh stretching at length over the body).
飢 (10) キ；う（える） Formerly 
An alternate form of 饑, combining 几 (Type 2 Phonetic) (long and narrow) desk/table (→ long and lean) + 食 food/eating → long, lean appearance of one suffering from a lack of food (same as for 餓) → hunger (for); starve.
啓 (11) ケイ Formerly 
戸 door + 口 mouth + 攵 action indicator → slow, careful deliberations (compare 議 and 計) that result in the opening of a (figurative) door to understanding → enlighten; address (an idea).
開 (12) カイ；あ（く・ける）；ひら（く・ける） SIS 
SIS is 門 gate + 幵 (Type 2 Phonetic) (objects made into the same height and placed in alignment) → open wide the tall doors of a gate, to an equal degree → make/drill a hole; be space between; develop; begin; hold (a party/meeting etc.) (← throw open the doors); release.
衣 (6) イ；エ；ころも S/B 
S/B is a pictograph of the collar of a kimono or similar billowing article of clothing → wear; dress; cover → (in cooking) coating/batter/icing.
依 (8) イ
As per 衣 (Type 1 Phonetic) (billowing garment) + 人 person → conceal oneself behind another's billowing garment → lean against; depend (upon) → request.
哀 (9) アイ；あわ（れ・れむ）
衣 (Type 1 Phonetic) clothing + 口 mouth (here suggesting sobbing) → sob at length into one's sleeve (compare 懐) → grief; sorrow; pathos → pity, compassion; mercy.
既 (10) キ；すで（に） Formerly  S/B 
To 旡 (Type 1 Phonetic) (engorgement) S/B of 既 adds a heaping plate of food (compare 宜) → gorge oneself with food → eat up; run out of → already (← have already reached a limit).
祈 (8) キ；いの（り・る）
As per 斤 (Type 2 Phonetic) (approach → come into contact) + 示 altar/the supernatural → pray for the arrival of one's longstanding desire → wish/hope (for).
幾 (12) キ；いく
幺 slender thread (doubled), here suggesting "slight" (→ slight distance) + 戈 (Type 4 Phonetic) spear/halberd + 人 person → blade slicing through the air, about to strike a person's neck (compare 斤) → almost (← about to) → be almost equal (← about); little by little (← approach); minute (adj.) (← minute distance of the blade from the neck) → some (← slight amount) → how much; how many (← quantity of a slight amount).
機 (16) キ；はた
As per 幾 (Type 1 Phonetic) (close at hand; minute) + 木 tree/wood → wooden contrivance where cogs and other moving parts come into minute, repeated contact → device; machine → loom → opportunity (← interplay of circumstances that create a new opportunity).
希 (7) キ SIS 
SIS shows two sets of intersecting lines + 巾 cloth → long piece of fabric (compare 衣) with fine cross-stitches → scarce; rare (← fine) → desire (← longstanding desire [compare 祈] of a kind scarcely obtained).
系 (7) ケイ
糸 thread + 丿 extension → connect with string/thread → connection.
係 (9) ケイ；かか（り・る・わり・わる）
系 (Type 1 Phonetic) connection + 人 person → person connecting objects with string/thread → linkage (of persons); be connected (with); be related to → affect; modify (a verb); person in charge.
渓 (11) ケイ Formerly 溪
As per 奚 (Type 1 Phonetic) (bind with cords → link together) + 水 water → narrow stream of water slithering at length through a valley.
鶏 (19) ケイ；にわとり Formerly 鷄
As per 奚 (Type 1 Phonetic) (bind with cords → link together) + 鳥 bird → (domesticated) bird tethered by a long cord → chicken; hen; rooster; fowl.
計 (9) ケイ；はか（らう・る）
十 (gather) + 言 (Type 2 Phonetic) words → gather many for a lengthy discussion (compare 議 and 啓) → plot; arrange → see to; handle; measure; weigh; judge; determine; total; accounts.
携 (13) ケイ；たずさ（える・わる） SCR 攜
SCR is as per 雟 (Type 1 Phonetic) (transport in sequence → carry on one's person) + 手 hand/action indicator → carry; bring/take along → participate; be involved/engaged in. The present form is a post-SCR simplification.
継 (13) ケイ；つ（ぐ） Formerly 繼
As per the previous form of the left-hand element of 断 (severed threads) + 糸 thread → join severed threads → follow; after that → inherit; succeed to; accede to → resume.
匸 (2) ケイ
A pictograph of a long container → contain; conceal. In most kanji reference sources 匸 is paired with 匚, but they are separate characters.
旡 (4) キ S/B 
S/B is a pictograph of a person with a full stomach, leaning backward → engorgement. Also, choke. Distinguish from 无 and 兂.
詣 (13) ケイ；ゲイ；もう（でる）
As per 旨 (Type 3 Phonetic) (rich and filling) + 言 words → involved, eloquent speech (compare 啓) → reach (a high place); arrive at (← reach heights ← reach heights of eloquence). Also, visit a shrine/temple (← reach/arrive at following the hardships of a pilgrimage).
羈 (24) キ Alternate Form 覊
罒 net (→ a covering) + 革 (Type 2 Phonetic) leather + 馬 horse → leather, equestrian headgear → reins; bridle (← leather equestrian implements) → tie (to); restrict. Travel is a borrowed meaning.
豈 (10) カイ；ガイ；キ
SIS is a pictograph of a pile of food on a stand (compare 宜). How and what (exclamations of surprise) are borrowed meanings.
呵 (8) カ；しか（る）；わら（う）
As per 可 (Type 1 Phonetic) (speak at length with a hoarse voice) + 口 mouth → laugh (at length, in a hoarse voice) → blow upon; scold. Compare 訶.
苛 (8) カ；いじ（める）；いら（つく）；さいな（む）
As per 可 (Type 1 Phonetic) (speak at length with a hoarse voice) + 艸 grass/plant → plant that causes prolonged irritation in the throat → torment; harsh → scold.
阿 (8) ア；おもね（る）
As per 可 (Type 1 Phonetic) (bend) + 阜 piled earth → winding heights → fawn over; flatter (← twist the truth in order to gain favor). 阿 is most often used as a simple phonetic in names, compounds and idioms, rather than for its primary meanings.
痾 (13) ア
As per 阿 (Type 1 Phonetic) (winding → complex) + 疒 illness → chronic illness not easily diagnosed/treated.
哥 (10) カ
As per 可 (Type 1 Phonetic) (bend) doubled → sing at length, bending the throat and body (compare 叫). Elder brother is a borrowing, the doubling of the sound of the character 可 matching a babyspeak appellation for older brother in ancient China.
訶 (12) カ；しか（る）
As per 可 (Type 1 Phonetic) (speak at length with a hoarse voice) + 言 words → shout → scold. Compare 呵.
埼 (11) キ
As per 奇 (Type 1 Phonetic) (lean) + 土 earth → cape or promontory (← landmass projecting from a mountain into lowlands, or from a cliff into a body of water). Compare 崎 and 碕.
欹 (12) イ；そばだ（てる）
As per 奇 (Type 1 Phonetic) (lean) + 欠 bent, open-mouthed figure → lean toward another in order to hear better → strain to hear; prick up one's ears.
椅 (12) イ
As per 奇 (Type 1 Phonetic) (lean) + 木 tree/wood → wood against which a person leans/reclines → chair.
碕 (13) キ
As per 奇 (Type 1 Phonetic) (lean) + 石 stone → (rocky) cape or promontory (← rocky landmass projecting from a mountain into lowlands, or from a cliff into a body of water). Compare 崎 and 埼.
畸 (13) キ
As per 奇 (Type 1 Phonetic) (lean → irregular) + 田 field/paddy → irregularly-shaped portion of land that remains after fields/paddies have been neatly divided → remainer; odd (sum/number) → strange; crippled; (physically) defective.
綺 (14) キ
As per 奇 (Type 1 Phonetic) (lean → irregular) + 糸 thread → figured cloth of an unusual, beautiful pattern.
奚 (10) ケイ；なんぞ
爪 claw/hand + 幺 slender thread + 大 person standing outstretched → row of slaves bound together with slender cords and performing forced labor (compare 虜 and 婁) → servant. What, why and how are borrowed meanings.
蹊 (17) ケイ
As per 奚 (Type 1 Phonetic) (bind with cords → link together) + 足 leg/foot → narrow path/lane linking separate roads or locales.
叚 (9) カ BIS 
厂 (Type 2 Phonetic) (shape indicator suggesting a hanging cloth or pelt) + two parallel lines indicating objects laid in order below + a variant of 殳 action indicator → lay objects down in arrangement and veil them → conceal → false (← mask the truth).
茄 (8) カ
加 (Type 1 Phonetic) add to (→ place atop) + 艸 grass/plant → lotus stem (atop of which rests a multi-layered flower). Eggplant (茄子) is a borrowed meaning.
迦 (8) カ
加 (Type 1 Phonetic) add to + 辵 movement → move to meet, forming a group. 迦 is used primarily for transliteration, as in 釈迦 (Shaka, a reference to the Buddha).
枷 (9) カ；かせ
加 (Type 1 Phonetic) add to (→ place atop) + 木 tree/wood → shackles; fetters (← wooden devices of punishment devices placed upon a victim's limbs). Compare 械, 校, 絆 and 桎.
痂 (10) カ；かさぶた
加 (Type 1 Phonetic) add to (→ place atop) + 疒 illness → scab that forms atop a wound.
跏 (12) カ
加 (Type 1 Phonetic) add to (→ place atop) + 足 leg/foot → sit cross-legged, feet on thighs. Compare 趺.
嘉 (14) カ；よみ（する）
加 (Type 1 Phonetic) add to (→ place atop) + an abbreviated form of 喜 (vessel piled high with food → feast) → great meal with stacks of food → good; auspicious → praise (← praiseworthy feast).
駕 (15) ガ；カ
加 (Type 1 Phonetic) add to (→ place atop) + 馬 horse → climb atop a horse and ride it → (enter and) ride a palanquin; (clamber atop and) ride a vehicle. Also, handle, manage, and manipulate (← ride a horse, or conduct a palanquin/vehicle).
峨 (10) ガ
As per 我 (Type 1 Phonetic) (stabbing/cutting implement with a serrated edge) + 山 mountain → craggy, steep and high mountain with serrated ridges. Compare 嶬.
蛾 (13) ガ；ギ
As per 我 (Type 1 Phonetic) (stabbing/cutting implement with a serrated edge) + 虫 insect → multi-colored moth of a remarkable shape. Ant is a borrowed meaning, 蛾 being construed as an abbreviated form of 蟻 (ant).
偕 (11) カイ；とも（に）
As per 皆 (Type 1 Phonetic) (line up) + 人 person → people who act in concert with each other → (all) together.
楷 (13) カイ
As per 皆 (Type 1 Phonetic) (line up) + 木 tree/wood → lacquer tree, with pinnately compound leaves → model; standard (← orderly alignment) → block style of Chinese characters, regarded as the standard writing form.
諧 (16) カイ；かな（う）；ととの（う・える）；やわら（ぐ）
As per 皆 (Type 1 Phonetic) (line up) + 言 words → harmonious arrangement of words → harmonize; smooth over/out → suitability.
漑 (15) ガイ；そそ（ぐ）
As per the previous form of 既 (Type 1 Phonetic) (engorgement) + 水 water → irrigate or pour at length.
畿 (15) キ；みやこ
Abbreviated form of 幾 (Type 8 Phonetic) (close at hand; minute) + 田 field/paddy → territory near the capital → capital.
磯 (17) キ；あ（たる）；いそ
As per 幾 (Type 1 Phonetic) (close at hand; minute) + 石 stone → (obstructive) stones by the waterside → hit (← waves pounding rocks); (rocky) shore; rocky beach.
譏 (19) キ；そし（る）
As per 幾 (Type 1 Phonetic) (close at hand; minute) + 言 words → press (for answers) → criticize; disparage.
饑 (21) キ
As per 幾 (Type 1 Phonetic) (close at hand; minute) + 食 food/eating → shortage of food → poor harvest; be starved; hunger. Compare 饉.
翳 (17) エイ；かげ（る）；かざ（す）
As per 殹 (Type 2 Phonetic) (place arrows in a container → contain → cover) + the previous form of 羽 feather/wing → large, feather fan, used by an attendant to cool a superior → shade; cover; conceal (← large, covering fan).
雟 (18) ケイ
山 mountain + 隹 short, squat bird + an abbreviated form of 商 (tall platform → rise) → bird building a nest in a high place, transporting twigs and other building materials in sequence. The bird is most often identified as either a sparrow or swallow.
觿 (25) ケイ
As per 雟 (Type 1 Phonetic) (transport in sequence → carry on one's person) + 角 horn (here suggesting ivory) → ivory bodkin (used to thread string/cord through a tiny aperture). This bodkin was habitually attached to the waist and carried about as an accessory.
珂 (9) カ
As per 可 (Type 1 Phonetic) (bend) + 玉 jewel → white agate with a banded pattern.
俄 (9) ガ；にわか；にわ（か）
As per 我 (Type 1 Phonetic) (stabbing/cutting implement with a serrated edge → swift stabbing motion) + 人 person → person making a swift/sudden motion such as that involved in stabbing → soon (← occur swiftly afterwards).
蟻 (19) ギ；あり
As per 義 (Type 1 Phonetic) (serrated knife used in the slow, ritual sacrifice of a sheep) + 虫 insect/creature → ant (creature exhibiting highly organized and apparently ceaseless activity).
誼 (15) ギ；よしみ；よろ（しい）
宜 (Type 1 Phonetic) good + 言 words → good discussion → intimate relation; friendship (← good discussion shared with intimate associates).
耆 (10) キ；シ；お（いる）；たしな（む）
An abbreviated form of 老 old man (→ aged) + 旨 (Type 3 Phonetic) tasty food → the delicious taste of cured/preserved foods. This primary sense largely faded, with 耆 coming to refer to instead to human aging and/or senility. Compare 嗜, which was devised to replace 耆.
稽 (15) ケイ；かんが（える）；とど（める）
Originally, the right-hand element (Type 1 Phonetic) was 耆 (the delicious taste of cured/preserved foods). The addition of 禾 grain/rice suggested the long-term storage of crops → stay; remain; retain; keep. Consider and compare are borrowed meanings.
鰭 (21) キ；ひれ
As per 耆 (Type 1 Phonetic) (cured/preserved foods) + 魚 fish → fin (a preserved delicacy).
鮨 (17) シ；すし
An abbreviated form of 耆 (Type 8 Phonetic) (the delicious taste of cured/preserved foods) + 魚 fish → fish and fish by-products preserved in salt and fermented. Sushi is a borrowed meaning.
祁 (7) キ；ギ
示 (Type 1 Phonetic) + 邑 village/settlement → the name of a settlement in Shanxi Province. The idea of a settlement spreading at length generated the meanings large and plentiful. Some authorities give 示 + 阝 as the preferred form of this character.
毅 (15) キ；ギ；たけ（し）；つよ（い）
豙 (Type 1 Phonetic) combines a sharp-edged tool with a depiction of a boar → boar raising its mane in response to a threat. 毅 adds 殳 action indicator → stand one's ground → resolute; strong.
凱 (12) カイ；ガイ；かちどき；やわ（らぐ）
As per 豈 (Type 1 Phonetic) (pile of food on a stand) + 几 desk/table → food piled for a feast → enjoy → relax (← take one's ease). Shouts/songs of triumph is a borrowed meaning, influenced by 鎧. 凱 was devised to express the original sense of 豈 after the latter underwent its transformation of meanings.
剴 (12) ガイ；カイ
As per 豈 (Type 1 Phonetic) (pile of food on a stand) + 刀 sword/knife → sharpen a knife to prepare a feast → apply to; cut.
鎧 (18) ガイ；カイ；よろい；よろ（う）
As per 豈 (Type 1 Phonetic) (pile of food on a stand) + 金 metal → armor constructed of linked pieces of metal, in the manner of plates of food piled atop each other → be armed; arm oneself.
葭 (12) カ
As per 叚 (Type 1 Phonetic) (overlay) + 艸 grass/plant → reeds that overlay the surface of a pond (compare 蒹) → reed → reed pipe/flute.
鍜 (17) カ
As per 叚 (Type 1 Phonetic) (overlay) + 金 metal → layered, armor neckplates. Compare 錏 and 錣.
霓 (16) ゲイ
兒 (Type 2 Phonetic) the previous form of 児 (infant with a crossed, undeveloped fontanel → cross) + 雨 rain/natural phenomena → rainbow crossing the sky (compare 虹).
倚 (10) イ；かたよ（る）；よ（る）
As per 奇 (Type 1 Phonetic) (lean) + 人 person → lean on (a person); rest against; rely/depend on.
剞 (10) キ
As per 奇 (Type 1 Phonetic) (lean) + 刀 sword/knife → carving/engraving knife (← tool held at an angle when carving) → carve; engrave.
掎 (11) キ；かたむ（く）；ひ（く）
As per 奇 (Type 1 Phonetic) (lean) + 手 hand/action indicator → drag one leg (and thus be off-balance); drag one leg up to the rest of the body and come to a stop → pull; hold back; detain.
猗 (11) イ；ああ
As per 奇 (Type 1 Phonetic) (lean) + 犬 dog/beast. The principle meanings of this character derive from distinct terms: 1) sigh of admiration; slender/delicate; bend flexibly; 2) stroke → draw through the hands; lean against. The common denominator in the meanings is the image of the interaction of a sinuous dog that draws up to a person, and the way the person pets/treats the animal.
羇 (22) キ；たび
As per 奇 (Type 1 Phonetic) (lean) + 罒 net (→ a covering) + 革 leather → leather equipment placed over a horse after a day of travel → lodge away from home. Equestrian headgear is a borrowed meaning, via 羈.
娥 (10) ガ；みめよ（い）
As per 我 (Type 1 Phonetic) (stabbing/cutting implement with a serrated edge) + 女 woman → beautiful visage; beautiful (← beautifully chiseled features).
莪 (10) ガ
As per 我 (Type 1 Phonetic) (stabbing/cutting implement with a serrated edge) + 艸 grass/plant → variety of mugwort with serrated leaves.
圻 (7) キ；ギン
斤 (Type 2 Phonetic) near + 土 earth → region near the capital. Also, a border of such a region.
柯 (9) カ；え；えだ
As per 可 (Type 1 Phonetic) (bend) + 木 tree/wood → ax-handle (shaped as a reverse-L). Also, stem and stalk.
舸 (11) カ
As per 可 (Type 1 Phonetic) (bend) + 舟 boat → large boat (with a sharply angled prow).
軻 (12) カ
As per 可 (Type 1 Phonetic) (bend) + 車 vehicle → use an angled implement to set a vehicle's axle in place with a tremendous creaking noise → creaking vehicle.
鯢 (19) ゲイ；さんしょううお
兒 (Type 2 Phonetic) the previous form of 児 (infant → small) + 魚 fish → (small variety of salamander); female whale (smaller than the male; 鯢 is used in distinction to 鯨, a male whale). Also, small fish.
麑 (19) ゲイ
兒 (Type 2 Phonetic) the previous form of 児 (infant → small) + 鹿 deer → fawn; young deer.
晞 (11) キ；かわ（く）
As per 希 (Type 1 Phonetic) (cloth with fine cross-stitching) + 日 sun/day → dry out (← cloth dried [out] by exposure to the sun).
皚 (15) ガイ
As per 豈 (Type 1 Phonetic) (pile of food on a stand) + 白 → brilliant white (← hue as conspicuous as a pile of food; compare 鵠 [← conspicuous white bird]).
殪 (16) エイ；たお（す・れる）
壹 (Type 8 Phonetic), the previous form of 壱, here an abbreviated form of 懿 splendid deed + 歹 severed bone/death → kill with a single arrow (← a splendid martial deed) → fall/die.
懿 (22) イ；よ（い）
Originally, as per 壹 (Type 2 Phonetic), the previous form of 壱 (jar filled to the brim and sealed tight at the top) + 欠 bent, open-mouthed figure + 心 heart/emotions → full and fine (← be agape in admiration at a splendid deed) → splendid deed. Later, the character came to be written 壹 + 恣.
嶬 (16) ギ
As per 義 (Type 1 Phonetic) (serrated knife used in the slow, ritual sacrifice of a sheep) + 山 mountain → steep mountain (← serrated ridges). Compare 峨.
曦 (20) ギ；キ
As per 義 (Type 1 Phonetic) (serrated knife used in the slow, ritual sacrifice of a sheep) + 日 sun/day → sparkling sunlight (← sharp rays of light) → the sun.
礒 (18) ギ；いそ
As per 義 (Type 1 Phonetic) (serrated knife used in the slow, ritual sacrifice of a sheep) + 石 stone → sharp-edged rock → (rocky) shoreline.
揩 (12) カイ；ぬぐ（う）
As per 皆 (Type 1 Phonetic) (line up) + 手 hand/action indicator → wipe a surface clean, making it perfectly level → wipe clean.
笳 (11) カ；あしぶえ
加 (Type 1 Phonetic) add to (→ place atop) + 竹 bamboo → reed flute (created by overlapping layers of material; compare 葭).
薊 (16) ケイ；あざみ
刀 sword/knife + 魚 fish (here in its original sense of a hard, dried piscine skeleton) + 艸 grass/plant → variety of thistle.
谿 (17) ケイ；たに；たにがわ
As per 奚 (Type 1 Phonetic) (bind with cords → link together) + 谷 valley/gorge → valley; valley river. Compare 渓.
醯 (19) ケイ
The right-hand element as described in 流 (breaking of the amniotic sac → flowing liquid) + 皿 dish/plate/bowl + 酉 alcohol container → vinegar (← produced in a container via alcoholic fermentation).
彝 (18) イ；つね Alternate Form 彜
彑 variant form of 彐 (Type 2 Phonetic) head of an animal + 米 rice + 糸 thread + 廾 pair of hands → make an offering of grain and a bound creature → solid, heavy container used in making offerings. Also, by extension, social rules and moral principles/standards.
痎 (11) カイ
亥 (Type 8 Phonetic) here an abbreviated form of 骸 bones/skeleton + 疒 illness → malaria (← bony appearance ← protracted illness that causes weight loss). Compare 瘧.
漪 (14) イ；さざなみ
As per 猗 (Type 1 Phonetic) (lean) + 水 water → rippling waves; ripples.
曀 (16) エイ；エツ；くも（る）
As per 壹 (Type 2 Phonetic), the previous form of 壱 (jar filled to the brim and sealed tight at the top) + 日 sun/day → cloud-packed skies stretching as far as the eyes can see → cloudy → dark; dim.
黟 (18) エイ；イ；くろ（い）
多 (Type 3 Phonetic) much/many + 黑, the previous form of 黒 black → highly lustrous black color → ebony.
豭 (16) カ；ケ
As per 叚 (Type 1 Phonetic) (overlay) + 豕 pig/boar → tusked boar (← tusks that overlay the mouth) → male pig.
喈 (12) カイ
As per 皆 (Type 1 Phonetic) (line up) + 口 mouth → melodious alignment of multiple voices and/or (musical) sounds → singing (of birds); ringing (of bells).
稭 (14) カイ；しべ
As per 皆 (Type 1 Phonetic) (line up) + 禾 grain/rice → aligned stalks of dehusked grain plants.
塏 (13) ガイ；カイ
As per 豈 (Type 1 Phonetic) (pile of food on a stand) + 土 earth → highland.
愷 (13) ガイ；カイ；たの（しむ）
As per 豈 (Type 1 Phonetic) (pile of food on a stand) + 心 heart/emotions → enjoy oneself; be joyful (← joyous feast). High-spirited celebration (of victory in war) is a borrowed meaning, via 凱.
洎 (9) キ
自 here an action indicator + 水 water → outpouring of water → pour; moisten → extend to (← water extending fully over a surface). Compare 漑.
旂 (10) キ；ゲ；はた
As per 斤 (Type 2 Phonetic) (approach → come into contact) + the pennant/banner element described in 旅 → a lord's pennant/banner with bells attached to the flagpole (← warn/inform of the approach of a lord) → flag.
睎 (12) キ
As per 希 (Type 1 Phonetic) (cloth with fine cross-stitching → fine) + 目 eye → gaze at a fine, dimly visible object → yearn for. Compare 望.
稀 (12) キ；ケ；まれ
As per 希 (Type 1 Phonetic) (cloth with fine cross-stitching → fine) + 禾 grain/rice → fine pieces of (leftover) grain → scarce; rare; thin/slight (← slight quantity).
豨 (14) キ；いのこ
希 here an abbreviated form (Type 8 Phonetic) of 晞 dry out + 豕 pig/boar → (large) pig/hog with leathery skin.
墍 (14) キ
既 here an abbreviated form (Type 8 Phonetic) of 概 level off + 土 earth → level off a wall by plastering it with mud → plaster → paint (a wall, a house etc.) → exert oneself to the full.
琦 (12) キ
奇 (Type 1 Phonetic) strange + 玉 jewel → unusual jewel → unusual.
踦 (15) キ；イ
As per 奇 (Type 1 Phonetic) (lame person) + 足 leg/foot → lame leg.
錡 (16) キ
As per 奇 (Type 1 Phonetic) (lean) + 金 metal → set a piece of lumber at an angle then cut it with a saw or plane it with a chisel.
齮 (23) ギ
As per 奇 (Type 1 Phonetic) (lean) + 齒 the previous form of 歯 teeth → lean forward and bite into food → chew.
璣 (16) キ
As per 幾 (Type 1 Phonetic) (close at hand; minute) + 玉 jewel → small jewel, particularly a pearl that is not completely round.
禨 (17) キ；きざし
As per 幾 (Type 1 Phonetic) (close at hand; minute) + 示 altar/the supernatural → omen of good fortune (← dim portent that something fortuitous is close at hand).
蟣 (18) キ
As per 幾 (Type 1 Phonetic) (close at hand; minute) + 虫 insect → leech (← creature that adheres to the skin in sucking blood). The compound 蟣蝨 however refers to a louse (or louse eggs).
餼 (19) キ；ケ
As per 氣 (Type 2 Phonetic) the previous form of 気 (rising vapors) + 食 food/eating → steam rising from cooked grain → sacrifice; sacrificial animal (← steam rising in sacrifice or from a sacrificed animal). Also, (send a) gift (← gift offered to another person ← sacrifice offered to the gods).
巇 (20) キ
As per 戲 (Type 1 Phonetic) the previous form of 戯 (position a long spear in the ground as a trap for game → long and sharply angled) + 山 mountain → steep mountain. Also, crack or gap (← crevice in a steep mountain) → hazardous.
檥 (17) ギ
As per 義 (Type 1 Phonetic) (serrated knife used in the slow, ritual sacrifice of a sheep) + 木 tree/wood → make the deliberate preparations required before launching a (wooden) boat → prepare to launch.
徯 (13) ケイ；ま（つ）
As per 奚 (Type 1 Phonetic) (bind with cords → link together) + 彳 movement → narrow path/lane linking separate roads or locales (compare 蹊). Also, wait expectantly (← wait to be linked to one's desire; compare the ideas of expectant waiting in 祈 and 希).
鼷 (23) ケイ
As per 奚 (Type 1 Phonetic) (bind with cords → link together) + 鼠 rat/mouse → mouse (← prolific creature that produces offspring one after another).
蜺 (14) ゲイ
兒 (Type 2 Phonetic) the previous form of 児 infant (→ small creature) + 虫 insect → small variety of cicada (compare 蟪). Rainbow is a borrowed meaning, via 霓.
輗 (15) ゲイ
兒 (Type 2 Phonetic) the previous form of 児 (infant with a crossed, undeveloped fontanel → cross) + 車 vehicle → linchpin that crosses the shafts of a vehicle. Compare 軏.
猊 (11) ゲイ Alternate Form 貎
兒 (Type 2 Phonetic) the previous form of 児 infant + 犬 dog/beast → small variety of lion. In Buddhism the character signifies a seat of a buddha, and by extension that of a high priest.
頎 (13) キ
As per 斤 (Type 2 Phonetic) (approach → come into contact) + 頁 head → head of a tall person (which brushes against the crossbeam of a gate; compare 開).
婀 (11) ア；たお（やか）
As per 阿 (Type 1 Phonetic) (winding) + 女 woman → sinuous woman → graceful; beautiful.
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Etymological Keypoints
This column of keypoints appears on each page of this online etymological dictionary of kanji, Chinese characters as used in Japan. For detailed information on any of the following topics, click the MORE hyperlinks to reach the appropriate sections of the Reference Page.
Types of Characters
Chinese characters are of three types: pictographs, ideographs and compound characters.
Pictographs
Pictographs are representations of concrete objects: moon, sun, river, mountain, bird, sword, mouth, hand and so on. Pictographs also account for nearly all of the radicals (or classifiers) as described below in the Compound Characters section. There are several hundred pictographs in all. MORE
Ideographs
The handful of ideographs among the Chinese characters convey abstract notions such as unity, concealment, extension etc. MORE
Compound Characters
Compound Characters are composed of two elements. The first element is a "radical" (or "classifier"). Character dictionaries assign nearly all characters to one of approximately 70 of these radicals.
The second element is a sound note, suggesting both the pronunciation and the meaning of the character. In a small number of compound characters the sound conveyed by the second element is anomalous, for which reason compound characters have traditionally been divided into phonetic compounds and semantic compounds.
MORE on Phonetic Compounds
MORE on Semantic Compounds
Phonetic elements (or sound notes) most often match that of the compound character precisely, such as 夬 KUAT and 決 KUAT. In other instances the initial or final consonants are altered: 甚 TAM and 勘 KAM; 胥 SAG and 婿 SAR. In a smaller number of cases the vowel is transposed: 而 NAG and 需 NUG. We also find phonetic elements functioning in other ways such as to convey onomatopoeic or mimetic sounds, to transliterate loan words and so on. There are eight types of sound notes in all. MORE
Word Formation In Proto-Chinese
This dictionary arranges Chinese characters according to word families of phonologically and semantically related terms. Building upon research undertaken by Bernhard Karlgren and Akiyasu Todo, the earliest sounds of the terms in proto-Chinese are reconstructed along the pattern Consonant-Vowel-Consonant. MORE
Initial consonants are K, L, M, N, P, S and T. The vowel in most terms is something between short A and E, here rendered as A. The vowel may also be O or U, and a number of word families feature the medial glide UA. Final consonants are G/K, NG, M, N, P, R and T.
Semantic Function of Consonants
Each initial consonant suggests a broad semantic background for characters beginning with that consonant. Here are the semantic indicators for each initial consonant, followed by a partial selection of the kinds of terms found in each initial consonant network.
Initial K- = Frame: boxes and containers; foundations of buildings; cavities; enclosed passageways; shackles/handcuffs; square tools; crossroads; humans, gates and other objects framing each other by standing in opposition; nuts in shells, grain in husks, beans/peas in a pod, shellfish in shells and other objects in containers; yokes; molds; footwear and garments that contain the body in full or part
Initial L- = Continuum: footpaths; literal and figurative belts; strips of material; stripes; dripping, flowing or trickling water/liquid; linked waves; patterned grain of wood; chains/cables; lengths of rope; interwoven vegetation; furrows; stretching vines
Initial M- = Conceal: the sun concealed (by darkness, cloud cover, vegetation); threads, insects, and heads of grain that are fine/tiny to the point of near-invisibility; persons concealed by passing away; fish nets or traps concealed beneath the surface of the water; physical/figurative blindness; concealing gr |
