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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 KUAN
Semantic Values of the Sound KUAN:
Frame + (Curving/Round) + Adhere/Be Proximate
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The terms in this word family add the nuance of curvature or roundness to the KAN family theme of Frame + Adhere/Be Proximate. The combination takes two main forms: one involving surrounding, and the other simple proximity between circular (or semi-circular) objects.
Examples of the first type include 院 and 垣 (earthen walls surrounding structures), 宣 and 園 (surrounded palace and garden, respectively), 冠 (a crown, resting on the head), 官 (people in a building), 棺 (a coffin, containing its occupant), 券 (slats encircled by a cord/rope), 管 (a pipe/tube), 圏 and 圓/円 (enclosures), 軍 (military encampment in which soldiers are encircled by vehicles), 群 (circular herd of sheep), or 困 (an encircled tree).
Examples of the second type include 原/源 (water gushing from a round spring), 丸 (human figure bending directly beneath a cliff), 湾 (water hugging a curving bay), 絹 and 繭 (silk threads produced by silkworms, with their oblong cocoons), 環 and 観 (eyes making a circular sweep over objects; in this case, the circularity has to do with the sweep of the eyes rather than the objects themselves), 菌 (round fungus on a plant), and 温 (a curved lid used to cover plates and keep food warm).
Examples of other characters manifesting (semi-)circularity, though the object acted upon is not specified, include a bent arm in 腕 and in 匀 as described in 均, circular movement in 還 and 運, wavering threads in 幻 and 玄, rolling/reeling in 巻, and a round kettle in 員 (round kettle).
Among the non-Everyday Use Characters, we find the following examples:
Round or tubular containers for liquid (盥, 椀, 碗, 罐, 鋺, 鑵, 棬)
Tubular bamboo (箘, 筠)
A round granary (囷)
A ball of steamed grain (餛)
Fangs biting open a hole (穿)
Bending figures (冤, 宛, 踠, 倦)
Limber/curvaceous body, or body part (婉, 捥, 允, 奐, 鴛, 娟, 顴, 鵷, 踡)
Curled (knot of) hair (鬟, 鬈)
Peas in a pod (豌)
Round mass of fish eggs (鯤, 鯀)
A circular pit, enclosure or depression (苑, 窘, 豢, 圜, 寰, 羂, 殞, 圂)
Piercing (丨, 尹, 串, 丱, 擐)
Shave/trim into a round(ed) shape (刓)
A round piece of metal (鍰)
Smoke curling its way upward (熏, 燻)
A pool of water (淵, 洵)
A winding flow/outpour of water (涓, 渙, 澣, 畎)
Roiling water (滾, 溷)
A stretched bow (彎)
Robe/loincloth/skirt wrapped about the body (袁, 褌, 袞, 裙, 褞)
A circular woven pattern (絢)
A disorderly ball of thread (紜)
Hoops/rings/bracelets (綰, 鐶, 釧)
A round jewel (琿, 瑗)
A curved scepter (琬)
A cluster of jewels (琨)
Elliptical flutes (琯, 筦)
An oblong instrument resembling an ocarina (壎)
An oblong creature (螈)
A roundish turtle (黿)
A roundish fish (鯇)
A ring of light/fire (暈, 焜, 暄)
Vegetation with encircling or clumping characteristics (莞, 菅, 萱, 筍, 菎, 葷)
Luxuriant, drooping vegetation (菀)
A plant with round flowers (芫)
Curved poles (轘)
To roll, wind or bind (捲, 隕, 玩, 拳, 綣, 捆, 稛)
Rolled silk (紈)
Objects wrapped in leather (韞)
A hearse (container for a casket) (轀)
Undulating creature/insect (蜷, 蜿)
A herd of deer (麇)
Reins wound about a crossbar (轅)
Encircling stakes (桓)
Round chaps on the skin (皸)
A lump of charcoal (熅)
A small bowl (埦)
A cylindrical club (棍)
A bale of wood (梱)
Circular piles (薀, 蘊)
A barrel (醞)
An elliptical marker (坤)
Make a circular sweep with the eyes (眷, 眴)
A protruding eyeball (睆)
A pervasive aroma (醺)
Scoop out (捐)
Run/go about in a circle (狷, 詢, 逭, 獧)
A wall surrounding a town (闤)
Eyes brimming with tears (鰥)
Speak/cry out in chorus (喧, 嚾)
Extensions of meaning or abstract applications of the senses noted above are found in the remaining characters in this group.
元 (4) ゲン；ガン；もと
兀 (Type 2 Phonetic) thrust the head high + a horizontal line → head → origin; cause; raw material; capital; prime element (← head as source and beginning; compare 頭) → former (← prior ← original). 元 was devised to replace 兀 after the latter lost its original connection with the head.
完 (7) カン
As per 元 (Type 1 Phonetic) (round → encircle) + 宀 roof/building → completely cover/surround in protecting → complete; fulfill; end.
院 (10) イン
As per 完 (Type 1 Phonetic) (surround completely) + 阜 piled earth → surrounding earthen wall → mansion; building; garden (← structure/place surrounded by a wall).
頑 (13) ガン
As per 元 (Type 1 Phonetic) (round) + 頁 head → round head → stubborn (← make no progress in convincing another ← circular discussion) → stout. 頑 was devised to convey the original sense of 元, but it too acquired extended meanings.
冠 (9) カン；かんむり
As per 元 (Type 1 Phonetic) (round) + 冖 cover + 寸 hand/action indicator → round object adhering to the head → crown.
官 (8) カン S/B 
S/B of the lower element is a pictograph of an accumulation of objects. 官 adds 宀 roof/building → number of people enclosed in an (official) building → government; official → human organ (← object controlling a variety of functions, in the manner of an official). Compare 営.
棺 (12) カン；ひつぎ
As per 官 (Type 1 Phonetic) (enclosure) + 木 tree/wood → wooden coffin in which a corpse is enclosed.
管 (14) カン；くだ
As per 官 (Type 1 Phonetic) (enclosure → wrap around) + 竹 bamboo → (bamboo) pipe; tube; flute. There is no longer any specific connection with bamboo. Control is an atavistic meaning from 官 (← assemble people and exert influence over them).
館 (16) カン Alternate Form 舘
As per 官 (Type 1 Phonetic) (assemblage of people in an official building) + 食 food/eating → place where officials take meals → (large) building; inn → fort; mansion.
券 (8) ケン Formerly  SIS  Alternate Form 劵
SIS shows the palm of an open hand (symbolizing a handprint as a guarantee) + a pair of hands (suggesting the parties involved in a transaction) → wooden slat on which handprints were made as a guarantee. This slat was broken in two and bound with an encircling cord. 刀 sword/knife was added to the top element (Type 1 Phonetic) to express the action of carving into the wooden (or bamboo) slats → draft → certificate; ticket.
巻 (9) カン；ケン；まき；ま（く） Formerly 卷
卷 combines the top element (Type 1 Phonetic) as described in 券 (slat bound with an encircling cord → roll up) + a bending figure → roll; roll up; reel; coil; wind (up/around) → volume (of a set of books, originally, rolled scrolls). 巻 replaces the bending figure element with 己.
圏 (12) ケン Formerly 圈
卷/巻 (Type 1 Phonetic) roll/reel + 囗 circular enclosure → pen; cage → range; orbit; sphere (of influence).
原 (10) ゲン；はら
厂 cliff + an abbreviated form of 泉 (Type 8 Phonetic) spring → water gushing through a circular spring at the base of a cliff → origin. Field and plain are borrowed meanings.
源 (13) ゲン；みなもと
As per 原 (Type 1 Phonetic) (spring) + 水 water → source (of water) → origin; trace; fountain. Devised as a replacement for 原.
願 (19) ガン；ねが（い・う）
As per 原 (Type 1 Phonetic) (circular spring → spring) + 頁 head → round head. Eventually, 願 came to be associated with the idea of a notion that circulates persistently in the brain (compare 悩 and 慮), leading to the extended meanings wish; desire; hope → request; petition; application.
員 (10) イン S/B 
S/B combines a circular symbol + a tripod kettle → round, tripod kettle → circumference → number (← counter for round objects ← round objects) → member (← number of people; compare "per capita," Latin for "by heads").
韻 (19) イン Alternate Form 韵
員 (Type 1 Phonetic) round (→ perfectly round → harmonious) + 音 sound → rhyme; meter; tone (← harmonized sound).
円 (4) エン；まる（い） Formerly 圓
員 (Type 1 Phonetic) round + 囗 circular enclosure → round/circular enclosure → spherical; yen (← round coin).
宣 (9) セン
As per 亘 (Type 5 Phonetic) (circular) + 宀 roof/building → palace set in close proximity to its protective, circular wall (compare 垣) → announce; state (← go about in proclaiming ← circulate ← circular).
垣 (9) エン；かき
As per 亘 (Type 5 Phonetic) (circular) + 土 earth → encircling earthen wall → fence; hedge.
環 (17) カン Formerly  BIS  SIS 
BIS and SIS forms of the right-hand element of the previous form show 袁 (loose-fitting clothes → wrap loosely about) + 目 eye → make a circular sweep with the eyes (compare 観). 環 is as per the right-hand element (Type 1 Phonetic) (circular sweep of the eyes) + 玉 jewel → jewel with a wrap-around shape → circle; surround; ring. Return is a borrowing.
還 (16) カン Formerly 
As per the right-hand element (Type 1 Phonetic) of 環 (eye looking all about → circular sweep of the eyes) + 辵 movement → make a circular movement and return → look back. Circulate and circle are borrowed meanings.
園 (13) エン；その
囗 circular enclosure + a variant of 袁 (Type 1 Phonetic) (loose-fitting clothes → wrap loosely about) → fields and gardens enclosed by a fence → garden → villa; country house.
遠 (13) エン；オン；とお（い） Formerly 
As per 袁 (Type 1 Phonetic) (loose-fitting clothes → wrap loosely about) + 辵 movement → create distance by moving forward in space and time → far.
猿 (13) エン；さる
犬 dog/beast + 袁 (Type 1 Phonetic). This is a variant of the earliest form of the character, however, which was 犬 + 爰 (expand the surface area of an object) → monkey (animal with a rounded back).
援 (12) エン Formerly 
As per 爰 (Type 1 Phonetic) (expand the surface area of an object) + 手 hand/action indicator → relieve a situation by lending a hand → assist; help.
緩 (15) カン；ゆる（い・む・める・やか） Formerly 
As per 爰 (Type 1 Phonetic) (expand the surface area of an object) + 糸 thread → loosen a knotted thread (compare the top element described in 彎) → loose; slack; relieve; relax → gentle (curve etc.); slow.
丸 (3) ガン；まる；まる（い・める） SIS 
SIS is a bending figure beneath a curved line suggesting a cliff (compare 宛) → round; circular; spherical (← posture of the figure) → roll up; make a ball of; wad up. Also, entire (← complete ← round). Suffix in the names of ships is by confusion with the classical Japanese term まろ, meaning "lineage."
湾 (12) ワン Formerly 灣
As per 彎 (Type 1 Phonetic) (stretch) + 水 water → bay (← curving stretch of water) → inlet. The present form of the character uses 弯, the alternate form of 彎.
腕 (12) ワン；うで
As per 宛 (Type 1 Phonetic) (bend) + 肉 flesh → (flexible) wrist → arm → talent; ability (← accomplishments ← things accomplished with the hands/arms).
絹 (13) ケン；きぬ SIS 
SIS of the right-hand element (Type 1 Phonetic) combines 肉 flesh + a round shape → roundish insect. 絹 adds 糸 thread → silk (hanging from an oblong cocoon; compare 繭).
繭 (18) ケン；まゆ
糸 thread + 虫 insect + an element suggesting the idea of hanging down from two or both sides → silkworm cocoon with hanging silk threads. Compare 絹.
換 (12) カン；か（える・わる）
As per 奐 (Type 1 Phonetic) (birth of a child) + 手 hand/action indicator → empty and replace the contents of a container → exchange; substitute; change.
喚 (12) カン
As per 奐 (Type 1 Phonetic) (birth of a child) + 口 mouth → cry out in giving birth (compare 勧) → yell; call (out) → summon.
寛 (13) カン Formerly  SIS 
SIS of the lower element (Type 1 Phonetic) is a pictograph of a goat with widely spaced horns. The previous form adds 宀 roof/building → a spacious house in which one can relax → generous (← be broad of heart in one's treatment of others).
幻 (4) ゲン；まぼろし SIS 
SIS is a reverse image of the SIS form of 予 (weaving shuttle that draws out threads to full length, then pushes them aside), suggesting the tip of a thread protruding slightly from a shuttle or loom. The present style combines 幺 slender thread with an element signifying a slight wavering. The common reference is to a faintly wavering, slender thread → illusion; vision; specter; phantom → confusion.
玄 (5) ゲン BIS 
BIS shows the tip of a slender thread stretching barely above a surface (represented by a horizontal line) → darkness; slender (← so slender as to be barely perceptible) → obscure; mysteriousness; black.
勧 (13) カン；すす（める） Formerly 勸
The left-hand element (Type 1 Phonetic) of the previous form is 艸 grass/plant + 口 mouth (doubled) + 隹 short, squat bird → flock of waterfowl crying out (compare 喚) in unison over a marsh. 勸 adds 力 power/energy → exert power or influence in chorus → recommend; suggest; advise; encourage; offer.
権 (15) ケン；ゴン Formerly 權
As per the left-hand element (Type 1 Phonetic) as described in 勧 (waterfowl crying out in unison → uniformity) + 木 tree/wood (→ wooden platform of a scale) → power counterbalancing that of another → right; authority.
歓 (15) カン Formerly 歡
As per the left-hand element (Type 1 Phonetic) as described in 勧 (waterfowl crying out in unison) + 欠 bent, open-mouthed figure → group of people (bent over in excitement) conversing loudly → pleasure; joy. Compare 呉 and its replacement character, 娯.
観 (18) カン Formerly 觀
As per the left-hand element (Type 1 Phonetic) as described in 勧 (flying waterfowl crying out in unison → bird's-eye view) + 見 see → make a circular sweep with eyes (compare 環) over objects arranged in front of one → look; see; view; appearance.
缶 (6) カン S/B 
S/B is a pictograph of an earthen vessel with a bulging, rounded middle (compare 去), suggesting something wrapped inside → round container; boiler; can. Etymologically, 缶 belongs to the P Consonant Network, but it was selected to substitute on the Everyday Use Characters list for 罐. For that reason, 缶 is placed here in the KUAN word family.
款 (12) カン
The left-hand element is a variant of 柰, which is 木 tree/wood + 示 altar/the supernatural → characters carved into offerings made of wood from a Chinese apple tree. 款 is as per 欠 (scoop/bore out) + the left-hand element to suggest a block on which characters were carved → carve characters onto a block by scooping out wood → engrave; engraved characters. Amity, clause and sincerity are borrowed meanings.
川 (3) セン；かわ S/B  Alternate Form 巛
S/B is a pictograph of a gently curving river boring its way through the earth. Compare 河.
訓 (10) クン
As per 川 (Type 1 Phonetic) (bore through the earth) + 言 words → [a] teaching (← words that allow one to bore through a difficult problem) → interpret; KUN reading of a kanji (← grasp the signification of a character ← comprehend in learning; the contrast is to 音, where the idea is to read a character for its sound).
貫 (11) カン；つらぬ（く） BIS 
BIS is a pictograph of two rounded seashells pierced and strung together → pierce; penetrate; go through. Consistent and carry out are extended meanings. The present form combines 貝 shell/commodities + 毌 (Type 1 Phonetic), a pictograph of a cowrie shell (distinguish from 毋).
慣 (14) カン；な（らす・れる）
貫 (Type 1 Phonetic) consistent + 心 heart/emotions → consistent, unchanging emotions → become/make accustomed to → train; exercise; custom → become skillful.
患 (11) カン；わずら（い・う）
串 (Type 1 Phonetic) pierce + 心 heart/emotions → worry; suffer (← heart suffering continuously, as though pierced) → (be) ill; trouble.
関 (14) カン；せき Formerly 關
The previous form of the lower element (Type 1 Phonetic) is as per 丱 (two boards pierced by a connecting rod) + 幺 slender thread (doubled) → connect two objects by inserting thread or cord through holes punched in each of the objects. 關 adds 門 gate → bolt or bar which pierces both doors of a gate in closure → barrier → checkpoint. Connect and be involved are borrowed meanings.
軍 (9) グン BIS  SIS 
BIS and SIS show 車 vehicle + 勹 wrap → military encampment (compare 営) formed by chariots arrayed in a circle → army → soldier; battle. The replacement of 勹 with 冖 dates from SCR.
運 (12) ウン；はこ（ぶ）
As per 軍 (Type 1 Phonetic) (circularity) + 辵 movement → move about in a circle → transport; carry; convey → (make) progress; manage/carry out (an undertaking). Fate comes from the idea of the circulation of good and evil in the course of one's life; compare 業.
君 (7) クン；きみ
As per 尹 (Type 1 Phonetic) (harmoniousness) + 口 mouth → ruler whose commands impose harmony. The meaning you originally was with respect to social superiors, but in modern Japanese is used toward social equals or subordinates.
郡 (10) グン
As per 君 (Type 1 Phonetic) (bring into a circular/harmonious group) + 邑 village/settlement → towns and villages centering on a castle or fortified city → district; county → division of an administrative unit.
群 (13) グン；むら；むら（がる）；む（れ・れる） Alternate Form 羣
As per 君 (Type 1 Phonetic) (bring into a circular/harmonious group) + 羊 sheep → herd of sheep → group; crowd; flock; swarm; mob; throng; cluster.
昆 (8) コン
日 sun/day + 比 (line up people) → people standing in the sun, grouped in a circle → companions; group → insect (← swarm of insects).
混 (11) コン；ま（ざる・じる・ぜる）
As per 昆 (Type 1 Phonetic) (assemble; swarm ) + 水 water → assemble and mix/stir in water a variety of soluble objects → blend.
困 (7) コン；こま（る）
囗 (Type 2 Phonetic) circular enclosure + 木 tree/wood → tree encircled, its free growth inhibited → distress; difficulty; trouble → be at a loss.
菌 (11) キン
As per 囷 (Type 1 Phonetic) (round) + 艸 grass/plant → fungus (round growth that appears on vegetation) → germ.
均 (7) キン
As per 匀 (Type 1 Phonetic) (alignment) + 土 earth → spread out earth and level it → even; equal; average.
旬 (6) ジュン
Abbreviated form of 匀 (Type 8 Phonetic) (alignment) + 日 sun/day → one cycle of ten days (according to a traditional calendar). The season when foods taste their best is by extension from the minor meaning of "pervade" (← time when fish, fruits and vegetables are to be found all over/at their peak). When used in this latter sense, the pronunciation is not ジュン but シュン.
温 (12) オン；あたた（か・かい・まる・める） Formerly  BIS 
BIS of the right-hand element (Type 1 Phonetic) is a pictograph of a curved lid covering a plate, keeping steam in and the food warm. 温 adds 水 water → hold in moisture and keep an object warm/hot.
勲 (15) クン Formerly 勳
熏 (Type 8 Phonetic) here an abbreviated form of 薫 fragrance + 力 power/energy → the (figuratively) fragrant result of effort → merit.
薫 (16) クン；かお（り・る） Formerly 薰
熏 (Type 1 Phonetic) smoke + 艸 grass/plant → plant the smoke of which gives off a fragrant aroma → fragrance; scent; perfume; aromatic. Also, smoke and smolder.
雲 (12) ウン；くも
As per 云 (Type 4 Phonetic) (cloud/vapor) + 雨 rain/natural phenomena → cloud (vapor-filled, steam-like object).
魂 (14) コン；たましい
As per 鬼 large, round-headed ghost; demon + 云 (Type 4 Phonetic) (cloud/vapor) → soul; spirit (vaporous object of indeterminate form).
丨 (1) コン
An ideograph suggesting a line that penetrates from top to bottom → vertical penetration (such as of water emerging from a spring [compare 原/源] or of skewered objects [compare 串]).
尹 (4) イン
丨 (Type 1 Phonetic) line that penetrates from top to bottom + 又 hand/action indicator → heaven (top) and earth (bottom) brought into harmony (analogous to that of a perfect circle) → oversee; govern; overseer. Compare 王 and 帝.
串 (7) カン；セン；くし
丨 (Type 1 Phonetic) line that penetrates from top to bottom + two objects (originally elliptical, now rectangular) → pierce multiple objects → skewer; spit (n.).
丱 (5) カン
A pictograph of two boards pierced by an oblong connecting rod. Later, 丱 came to refer to a children's hairstyle in which two tufts or braids were run through and held in place by a hairpin.
宦 (10) カン
宀 roof/building + 臣 (Type 5 Phonetic) retainer → palace servant → government official; serve.
盥 (16) カン；たらい
臼 mortar (here, as in the graphically similar 興 and 與 [the previous form of 与] suggesting both hands) + 水 water + 皿 dish/plate/bowl → wash one's hands over a bowl → washbasin; washtub.
穿 (9) セン；うが（つ）；は（く）
穴 (Type 2 Phonetic) hole + 牙 fangs/mesh → fangs biting open a hole → make a hole; dig; drill → pass through; pass an object through; penetration; investigate thoroughly. Also, wear/put on (footwear) (← foot that penetrates the hole of footwear).
冤 (10) エン Alternate Form 寃
兔 alternate form of 兎 rabbit + 冖 cover → rabbit crouching under the cover in which it is trapped → be framed/falsely accused.
宛 (8) エン；あて；ずつ SIS 
SIS shows two figures bending beneath a cover (compare 丸) → bend (in concealment) → wind → as if; just like (← one bent object closely resembling another). Addressed (to) and allotment are borrowed meanings.
婉 (11) エン
As per 宛 (Type 1 Phonetic) (bend) + 女 woman → the soft and tender body of a woman → gentle; graceful; beautiful.
捥 (11) ワン；もぎ（る）；も（ぐ）；も（げる）
As per 宛 (Type 1 Phonetic) (bend) + 手 hand → (flexible) wrist → arm → wrench from/off → snatch from → tear/break off.
椀 (12) ワン
As per 宛 (Type 1 Phonetic) (bend → round form) + 木 tree/wood → wooden bowl (in which food is served) → wooden cup. Compare and contrast 碗.
碗 (13) ワン Alternate Form 盌
As per 宛 (Type 1 Phonetic) (bend → round form) + 石 stone (→ stoneware; chinaware) → bowl → teacup. Compare and contrast 椀.
豌 (15) エン
As per 宛 (Type 1 Phonetic) (bend) + 豆 bean → pea (contained in a flexible pod).
踠 (15) エン；もが（く）
As per 宛 (Type 1 Phonetic) (bend) + 足 leg/foot → bend/stoop → writhe; squirm; struggle (← contort ← bend).
苑 (8) エン；オン；その
As per the lower element (Type 1 Phonetic) of 宛 (bend → round form) + 艸 grass/plant → circular enclosure for flowers, trees or animals → pasture; farm; park; garden.
怨 (9) エン；オン；うら（み・む）
As per the lower element (Type 1 Phonetic) of 宛 (bend) + 心 heart/emotions → warped heart → enmity; hatred; grudge.
鴛 (16) エン；オン
As per the lower element (Type 1 Phonetic) of 宛 (bend) + 鳥 bird → male mandarin duck. In contrast to the female of the species, 鴦, the male has feathers on the flank that curl up.
灌 (20) カン；そそ（ぐ） Alternate Form 潅
As per the previous form of the left-hand element (Type 1 Phonetic) of 勧 (waterfowl crying out in unison) + 水 water → pour liquid, making a great splashing noise → irrigate; flow into.
罐 (24) カン；かま
As per the previous form of the left-hand element (Type 1 Phonetic) of 勧 (waterfowl crying out in unison) + 缶 bulging earthenware jug/vase → bulging earthenware jug/vase with a wide-mouth → vessel; can → boiler.
熏 (14) クン SIS 
SIS shows a chimney + smoke + 炎 (Type 5 Phonetic) flame → smoke curling its way upward through a chimney → smoke (v.); darken.
燻 (18) クン；いぶ（す・る）；くすぶ（る）；くす（べる）
熏 (Type 1 Phonetic) smoke + 火 fire → smoking fire → (to) smoke; smolder; fumigation; oxidation. 燻 is effectively an alternate form of 熏.
淵 (11) エン；ふち BIS  Alternate Forms 渕 渊
BIS of the right-hand element (Type 1 Phonetic) is a pictograph of a pool of water such as found at the base of a waterfall. 淵 adds 水 water → deep water (i.e., a buildup of water within a circumscribed area) → pond → profound; depths; abyss (← profundity ← deep pool).
允 (4) イン SIS 
SIS shows a slender and curving human figure, the curving form suggesting a neat, relaxed posture → peaceful → sincere → consent; permit (serenely give permission)
匀 (4) イン BIS 
BIS shows a bent arm with two short lines added in the intervening space to indicate objects in alignment → line up objects compactly in a circle → (place in) balance; equal; uniform; even.
鈞 (12) キン
As per 匀 (Type 1 Phonetic) (alignment) + 金 metal → unit of weight (approximately 7.7 kilograms).
奐 (9) カン BIS  SIS 
BIS and SIS show a woman with spread thighs + a pair of hands → hands assisting in the birth of a child. Bright, exchange and replace are borrowed meanings.
煥 (13) カン
奐 (Type 1 Phonetic) bright + 火 fire → bright flame(s) → shining; brilliant.
彎 (22) ワン Alternate Form 弯
The top element (Type 1 Phonetic) is 絲 (糸 thread doubled, a character now subsumed in 糸) + 言 words (in its original sense of making verbal distinctions → distinguish) → pull on threads in attempting to untangle them. Compare 緩. 彎 adds 弓 bow → stretched bow → pull/draw back on; curve.
爰 (9) エン
爪 claw/hand + a horizontal line + an object + 又 (Type 2 Phonetic) hand/action indicator → expand the surface area of an object (for example, a clamshell) by opening it outward → lead to; then; thus (← primary and secondary effects of an action).
媛 (12) エン；ひめ
女 woman + 爰 (Type 8 Phonetic) here an abbreviated form of 緩 gentle → gentle woman → princess; beautiful woman. An alternate form writes the top portion of the right-hand element as 爫.
袁 (10) エン
衣 clothing + what was originally an elliptical (now rectangular; compare 串) symbol → loose-fitting robe that flows over the body.
鐶 (21) カン
As per the right-hand element (Type 1 Phonetic) of 環 (circular sweep of the eyes → circularity) + 金 metal → (metallic) ring.
浣 (10) カン
As per 完 (Type 1 Phonetic) (surround completely) + 水 water → wash/clean by immersing in water.
莞 (10) カン
As per 完 (Type 1 Phonetic) (surround completely) + 艸 grass/plant → variety of reed (← plant that spreads in a circular manner about the main root; compare 葦) used in making (tatami) mats. Smiling (manner) is a borrowed meaning.
菅 (11) カン；ケン；すが；すげ
As per 官 (Type 1 Phonetic) (enclosure → wrap around) + 艸 grass/plant → plant with a wrap-around shape → sedge (← material woven into a raincoat, which is then wrapped about the body).
綰 (14) ワン；わが（ねる）
As per 官 (Type 1 Phonetic) (enclosure → wrap around) + 糸 thread → loop a thread/string → bend into a hoop; tie.
倦 (11) ケン；あぐ（む）；う（む）
巻 (Type 1 Phonetic) roll; reel + 人 person → person bending in fatigue → languor → grow weary of; lose interest in. An alternate form is written with 卷 instead of 巻.
捲 (12) ケン；ま（く）；まく（る）；めく（る）
卷/巻 (Type 1 Phonetic) roll; reel + 手 hand/action indicator → roll; wind → turn over (a playing card); flip through (pages). 捲 was devised to replace 巻. An alternate form is written with 卷 instead of 巻.
隕 (13) イン
As per 員 (Type 1 Phonetic) (round → roll down) + 阜 piled earth → roll down（e.g.，earthen construction tumbling to the ground）→ (let/make) fall.
桓 (10) カン
As per 亘 (Type 5 Phonetic) (circular) + 木 tree/wood → encircling wooden stakes → marking post.
釧 (11) セン
As per 川 (Type 1 Phonetic) (bore through the earth → bore) + 金 metal → ornament created by running a cord through holes bored in jewelry (compare 貫) → bracelet.
渾 (12) コン
As per 軍 (Type 1 Phonetic) (circularity) + 水 water → mix thoroughly in water → turbid (← make muddy in mixing) → as a whole (← mix thoroughly).
暈 (13) ウン；かさ；ぼか（す）
As per 軍 (Type 1 Phonetic) (circularity) + 日 sun/day → the ring of light encircling the sun → halo; corona → fade; grow dim/unclear (← vague/dim ← vaguely visible halo/corona) → dizzy (← fading of clarity). Compare 暉 and 焜.
皸 (14) クン；あかぎれ；ひび Alternate Form 皹
As per 軍 (Type 1 Phonetic) (circularity) + 皮 hide → round chaps on the skin (compare 菌); rough/cracked skin.
褌 (14) コン；ふんどし
As per 軍 (Type 1 Phonetic) (circularity) + 衣 clothing → clothing wrapped about the waist → loincloth.
棍 (12) コン
As per 昆 (Type 1 Phonetic) (group in a circle → circular) + 木 tree/wood → a cylindrical club → (walking) stick; cane.
焜 (12) コン
As per 昆 (Type 1 Phonetic) (group in a circle → circular) + 火 fire → circle of fire (compare 暈) → shine.
梱 (11) コン；こり
As per 困 (Type 1 Phonetic) (tree encircled → encircle) + 木 tree/wood → bale of wood → pack; package.
慍 (13) ウン；オン
As per the right-hand element (Type 1 Phonetic) as described in 温 (hold in/down) + 心 heart/emotions → harbor anger, or a grudge → get angry.
薀 (16) ウン Alternate Form 蘊
As per the previous form of 温 (Type 1 Phonetic) (curved lid) + 艸 grass/plant → circular pile of hay → pile up; store (up); preserve. Compare 蘊. The alternate form replaces the previous form of 温 with 縕.
縕 (16) ウン；オン
As per the right-hand element (Type 1 Phonetic) as described in 温 (curved lid) + 糸 thread → tangled hemp → confusion. Also, old cotton (← old, worn/frayed fabric ← tangled hemp).
蘊 (19) ウン
縕 (Type 1 Phonetic) tangled hemp + 艸 grass/plant → tangled pile of harvested vegetation → pile up; store (up). Compare 薀.
醞 (17) ウン
As per the right-hand element (Type 1 Phonetic) as described in 温 (curved lid) + 酉 alcohol container → ferment alcohol in a lidded barrel → brew.
坤 (8) コン；ひつじさる
As per 申 (Type 5 Phonetic) (bolt of lightning that stretches through the sky → stretch) + 土 earth → thrust an elliptical marker into the earth → divination sign. Southwest is a borrowed meaning.
玩 (8) ガン；もてあそ（ぶ）
As per 元 (Type 1 Phonetic) (round → encircle) + 玉 jewel → toy/play with a gem by cupping and rolling it in one's hands → enjoy; take pleasure in. Also, trifle with and make sport of. Compare 翫.
翫 (15) ガン；もてあそ（ぶ）
As per 元 (Type 1 Phonetic) (round) + 習 learn (specifically, learn by repetition) → smooth out the rough edges of an action by repeated practice → enjoy; take pleasure in (← enjoy obtaining perfection). Compare 玩.
拳 (10) ケン；ゲン；こぶし
As per the top element (Type 1 Phonetic) as described in 券 (slat bound with an encircling cord → roll up) + 手 hand → fist (← balled hand).
眷 (11) ケン；かえり（みる）
As per the top element (Type 1 Phonetic) as described in 券 (slat bound with an encircling cord → roll up) + 目 eye → turn around to look back → take an interest in; take care of (← keep a watchful eye on).
捐 (10) エン；す（てる）
As per the right-hand element (Type 1 Phonetic) of 絹 (round → twisting) + 手 hand/action indicator → scoop out contents → remove; throw away → renounce. Also, contribute (← renounce in favor of another).
狷 (10) ケン
As per the right-hand element (Type 1 Phonetic) of 絹 (round → twisting) + 犬 dog/beast → dog running in a circle → hasty → obstinate (← cling to a hastily drawn conclusion) → perverse.
鰥 (21) カン；やもお；やもめ
The right-hand element (Type 1 Phonetic) is 目 eye + a representation of tears running down the cheeks → eyes brimming with tears. 鰥 adds 魚 fish → large fish with wide, round eyes. Widower is a borrowed meaning (← tear-filled eyes of a grieving man) → unmarried man (← man without a wife ← widower).
呟 (8) ゲン；つぶや（く）
As per 玄 (Type 1 Phonetic) (slender thread stretching barely above a surface) + 口 mouth → be barely audible → murmur; mutter.
眩 (10) ゲン；くら（む）；くるめ（く）；まばゆ（い）；まぶ（しい）；めまい
As per 玄 (Type 1 Phonetic) (slender thread stretching barely above a surface) + 目 eye → so dazzling that the eyes can barely perceive → dazzling → dizzy; confused.
絃 (11) ゲン；いと；つる
As per 玄 (Type 1 Phonetic) (slender thread stretching barely above a surface) + 糸 thread → slender, barely visible string (of a musical instrument). In contemporary Japanese usage, 絃 has been displaced by 弦.
衒 (11) ゲン；てら（う）
As per 玄 (Type 1 Phonetic) (slender thread stretching barely above a surface) + 行 movement (→ perform) → perform sleight of hand → show off.
喧 (12) ケン；かまびす（しい）；やかま（しい）
As per 宣 (Type 1 Phonetic) (circular and proximate) + 口 mouth → boisterous; noisy (← crowd speaking simultaneously; compare 諠).
萱 (12) ケン；カン；かや
As per 宣 (Type 1 Phonetic) (circular and proximate) + 艸 grass/plant → daylily (← clump-forming herbaceous perennial). Miscanthus is a borrowed meaning.
洵 (9) ジュン；シュン
As per 旬 (Type 1 Phonetic) (cycle of ten days → circle) + 水 water → encircle/pervade with water → pervade; whirlpool. Truly is a borrowed meaning.
筍 (12) ジュン；シュン；たけのこ Alternate Form 笋
As per 旬 (Type 1 Phonetic) (cycle of ten days → circle) + 竹 bamboo → cylindrical bamboo shoot.
絢 (12) ケン；あや
As per 旬 (Type 1 Phonetic) (cycle of ten days → circle) + 糸 thread → circular woven pattern → figure; design.
詢 (13) ジュン；シュン
As per 旬 (Type 1 Phonetic) (cycle of ten days → circle) + 言 words → make rounds in inquiring/consulting → inquire; consult.
窘 (12) キン；くる（しむ）；たしな（める）
As per 君 (Type 1 Phonetic) (bring into a circular/harmonious group) + 穴 hole → fall into a (round) hole → be in trouble; be at a loss. Also, rebuke (← place someone in a figurative hole).
袞 (11) コン
A variant of a character combining 衣 clothing and 公 open/public → clothing worn by an emperor on ceremonial occasions (← clothing wrapped about the body).
滾 (14) コン；たぎ（る）
As per 袞 (Type 1 Phonetic) (wrap about) 水 water → roiling water (i.e., that appears to roll on the surface) → boil; seethe → tumble. Compare 溷.
鋺 (16) エン；かなまり
As per 宛 (Type 1 Phonetic) (bend) + 金 metal → metal bowl.
轅 (17) エン；ながえ
As per 袁 (Type 1 Phonetic) (loose-fitting clothes → wrap loosely about) + 車 vehicle → pair of shafts protruding from the front of an ox/horse-drawn vehicle. The shafts were connected by a crossbar, about which the animals' reins were wrapped to enable pulling.
裙 (12) クン
As per 君 (Type 1 Phonetic) (bring into a circular/harmonious group) + 衣 clothing → skirt.
惓 (11) ケン
卷 the previous form of 巻 (Type 1 Phonetic) roll/reel + 心 heart/emotions → be physically/emotionally fatigued.
綣 (14) ケン；カン
卷 the previous form of 巻 (Type 1 Phonetic) roll/reel + 糸 thread → be wrapped in/enveloped by.
蜷 (14) ケン；にな
卷 the previous form of 巻 (Type 1 Phonetic) roll/reel + 虫 insect → type of insect that undulates in propelling itself forward (compare 蜿 and 樛). にな refers to a variety of aquatic snail (compare 蠡).
豢 (13) カン；ケン
Abbreviated form of 卷 the previous form of 巻 (Type 8 Phonetic) roll/reel + 豕 pig/boar → raise pigs and/or other domestic animals in a circular pen → entrap.
圜 (16) カン；エン；まる（い）；めぐ（る）
As per the right-hand element (Type 1 Phonetic) of 環 (eye looking all about → circular sweep of the eyes) + 囗 circular enclosure → circulate; go about/around; round; ring; the sky (wrapped about the world).
寰 (16) カン
As per the right-hand element (Type 1 Phonetic) of 環 (eye looking all about → circular sweep of the eyes) + 宀 roof/building → the world, wrapped about by the vast sky (compare 圜). Also, an enclosed parcel of land within an imperial domain.
鬟 (23) カン；みずら；わげ
As per the right-hand element (Type 1 Phonetic) of 環 (eye looking all about → circular sweep of the eyes) + 髟 hair → coiled knot of hair (Japanese: わげ). みずら refers to a hairstyle for males in ancient Japan where the hair was tied in a bundle behind each ear (compare 髻).
娟 (10) ケン；エン；うつく（しい）
As per the right-hand element (Type 1 Phonetic) of 絹 (round → twisting) + 女 woman → curvaceous female figure → beautiful.
悁 (10) エン；ケン
As per the right-hand element (Type 1 Phonetic) of 絹 (round → twisting) + 心 heart/emotions → irritable (← twisted emotions).
涓 (10) ケン
As per the right-hand element (Type 1 Phonetic) of 絹 (round → twisting) + 水 water → winding trickle of water → falling drops of water → slight (amount). Also, choose (carefully, after minute consideration).
羂 (18) ケン；わな
絹 (Type 1 Phonetic) silk + 罒 net → use a net to trap an animal in a round pit; tie up (an animal). Also, trap (n.).
愃 (12) ケン；セン
As per 宣 (Type 1 Phonetic) (circular and proximate) + 心 heart/emotions → magnanimous (← generosity that encompasses others; compare 寛)
暄 (13) ケン；あたたか（い）
As per 宣 (Type 1 Phonetic) (circular and proximate) + 日 sun/day → sunlight warming a circular area.
諠 (16) ケン；かまびす（しい）；わす（れる）
As per 宣 | |
