Nihongo

Kanji Detail of 静

Level:N3 High
Strokes:14
Stroke Order
Related Words
AI Explanation
Basic Meaning

The kanji primarily conveys the idea of "quietness," "stillness," "calm," or "tranquility." It suggests a state of absence of noise, movement, or disturbance. It can also imply a state of inner peace or serenity.

Readings

・On-yomi (音読み): セイ (sei) ・Kun-yomi (訓読み): しず(か) (shizu(ka))

Usage Examples

⚫︎ 静かな部屋 Translation: A quiet room ⚫︎ 静かにしてください Translation: Please be quiet. ⚫︎ 静止画 Translation: Still image (e.g., photograph)

Origin and Formation

The kanji is a 形声文字 (keisei moji), a phono-semantic compound character. The left side is (shou/aoi), which initially represented "blue" or "green" but also carries a phonetic element. The right side is (sou), which means "to contend" or "to struggle". Therefore, the original meaning of evolved to represent "the absence of contention," or tranquility. This character evolved over time, solidifying the modern meaning of "quietness" and "stillness."

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