Nihongo

Kanji Detail of 閑

Level:N1 High
Strokes:12
Stroke Order
Related Words
AI Explanation
Basic Meaning

The kanji primarily conveys the meanings of "leisure," "quiet," "calm," or "unused." It suggests a state of being free from activity, disturbance, or work. It often implies a peaceful or unoccupied state.

Readings

・On-yomi (音読み): カン ・Kun-yomi (訓読み): しずか (shizuka)

Usage Examples

⚫︎ 閑静な住宅街 Translation: a quiet residential area ⚫︎ 余暇を利用して Translation: making use of one's leisure time ⚫︎ 閑散とした通り Translation: a deserted street

Origin and Formation

The kanji is a phono-semantic compound (形声文字). The left part is the radical (もん, mon) which means "gate" or "door." The right part is (き, ki) meaning "tree." The original meaning was related to a gate or enclosure where trees were planted, creating a peaceful and quiet space, thus developing the meaning of "leisure" and "quiet." Later, the character was simplified, and the "tree" part developed into the current form.

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