Nihongo

Kanji Detail of 仙

Level:N1 Low
Strokes:5
Stroke Order
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AI Explanation
Basic Meaning

The kanji generally conveys the meaning of "immortal," "hermit," "fairy," or "transcendental being." It often refers to someone who has achieved spiritual enlightenment or possesses supernatural powers. The core concept is one of living beyond the constraints of ordinary human life, often associated with longevity, wisdom, and a connection to the natural world.

Readings

・On-yomi (音読み): セン ・Kun-yomi (訓読み): None, or rarely used in isolation.

Usage Examples

⚫︎仙人 (せんにん) Translation: Hermit; Immortal; Sage. ⚫︎仙境 (せんきょう) Translation: Paradise; Fairyland; Wonderland. ⚫︎仙骨 (せんこつ) Translation: Sacrum (a bone at the base of the spine, considered a key area in Chinese medicine and spiritual practices, thus linking it to the concept of the "immortal").

Origin and Formation

The kanji is a phono-semantic compound (形声文字). The left side is the radical 人 (にん, ひと), meaning "person" or "human." The right side, 山 (さん, やま) represents "mountain." The combination of "person" and "mountain" originally referred to people who lived in mountains, often hermits or those seeking spiritual enlightenment. Over time, it came to represent "immortals" or "transcendental beings" due to the association with a secluded lifestyle and connection to nature, believed to be conducive to longevity and spiritual development.

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