The kanji 準 generally conveys the meaning of "quasi-", "semi-", "corresponding to," "conform to," or "standard." It implies something that is not completely the real thing, but rather a close approximation or something that aligns with a certain standard or condition. It can also suggest preparations or readiness.

・On-yomi (音読み): ジュン (jun) ・Kun-yomi (訓読み): じゅん(ずる) (jun(zuru)) - to conform to, to follow

⚫︎ 準決勝 Translation: Semi-final ⚫︎ 基準 Translation: Standard; criteria; basis ⚫︎ 準備 Translation: Preparation; readiness

The kanji 準 is a 形声文字 (keisei moji), a phonetic-semantic compound character. The left side is 水 (sui), meaning "water," and the right side is 隹 (sui), which is a component with a phonetic element and represents "small bird". Combining the two elements suggests the idea of "equalize". This suggests water leveling the ground and making it straight/flat. Over time, the meaning evolved to represent conformity, or approximation.