Nihongo

Kanji Detail of 鑑

Level:N1 High
Strokes:23
Stroke Order
Related Words
AI Explanation
Basic Meaning

The kanji character primarily conveys the meanings of "mirror," "to reflect," "to examine," "to appreciate," and "to learn from." It implies a process of looking closely, evaluating, and drawing conclusions or learning from something. It often suggests a deep understanding or insight gained through observation or reflection.

Readings

・On-yomi (音読み): カン ・Kun-yomi (訓読み): かがみ

Usage Examples

⚫︎鑑賞(かんしょう) Translation: appreciation; viewing (of art, etc.); (social) observation ⚫︎鑑定(かんてい) Translation: appraisal; expert opinion; judgment ⚫︎反面教師(はんめんきょうし) Translation: a person or thing which serves as a negative example; an object lesson

Origin and Formation

The kanji is a phono-semantic compound (形声文字). The left side is a "radical" (部首), which is 金 (gold, metal). The right side is 監 (to supervise). The original meaning of was "bright mirror", 金 (gold, metal) + 監 (to supervise). Mirrors were often made of metal and were used for reflecting light and images, so the character's meaning evolved to encompass reflection, observation, and examination.

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