馬

From Middle Chinese 馬 (MC maeX). The 漢音 (kan'on), so a later borrowing. Compare Min Nan 馬／马 (bé, bée, má) where some of the readings show a shift from initial nasal /m-/ to voiced plosive /b-/.

競馬


車

韓国車

女性専用車


月

月 (canonical)
gatsu (romanization)
gwatu (romanization)
ぐわつ (hiragana historical)

/ɡʷatɨ/ → /ɡʷat͡su/ → /ɡat͡su/
From Middle Chinese 月 (ŋʉɐt̚).


月

/ɡʷetu/ → /ɡet͡su/
From Middle Chinese 月 (ŋʉɐt̚).
Compare modern Hakka 月 (ngie̍t), Min Nan 月 (ge̍h).


愛

From Middle Chinese 愛 (MC 'ojH).
Compare modern Mandarin 愛／爱 (ài).

(US) Short for 愛州 (“Idaho (a state of the United States)”).


間

Alternative spelling of 閑 (kan, “free time”)


蟻

From Middle Chinese 蟻 (MC ngjeX). Compare modern Cantonese reading ngai⁵.

path

from the way that ants tend to travel in single file

from the superficial similarity to an ant

蟻蚕: a silkworm that has just hatched from its egg

蟻走感: formication: a feeling as of many bug crawling on one's skin

蟻付

a large grouping or gathering of people, much as ant will gather around something sweet

蟻量: : the weight of a silkworm just after hatching from its egg


米

米 (canonical)
bei (romanization)
べい (hiragana historical)

米価 (beika, “rice price”)

米国 (Beikoku, “US”)

日米関係 (Nichi-Bei kankei, “Japan–United States relations”)

日米関係 にちべいかんけい

アメリカ合衆国 アメリカ合衆国#Japanese

亜米利加合衆国 亜米利加合衆国#Japanese

Short for アメリカ合衆国／亜米利加合衆国 (Amerika Gasshūkoku, “United States (a country)”).

アメリカ合衆国

南米 (Nanbei, “South America”)

Short for アメリカ／亜米利加 (Amerika, “the Americas (a region)”).


蛇

Confusion of pronunciation with 陀(だ) (da) via phonetic radical 它.


朝

朝 (canonical)
chō (romanization)
teu (romanization)
てう (hiragana historical)

Kyūjitai
Nihon Kokugo Daijiten
Shinjitai
Tōkyō

/teu/ → /t͡ɕeu/ → /t͡ɕoː/
The “morning” and “Korea” senses are from Middle Chinese 朝 (MC trjew).
The “imperial court”, “dynasty”, and “epoch” senses are from Middle Chinese 朝 (MC drjew), using the 漢音 (kan'on, literally “Han sound”) borrowing.

朝鮮民主主義人民共和国 朝鮮民主主義人民共和国#Japanese

Democratic People's Republic of Korea
Democratic People's Republic of Korea

Short for 朝鮮 (Chōsen): Korea, specifically short for 朝鮮民主主義人民共和国 (Chōsen Minshu Shugi Jinmin Kyōwakoku): Democratic People's Republic of Korea (North Korea)


氷

ja-pos

氷(ひょう) • (hyō)


悪

bad; disagreeable; unpleasant; undesirable;


悪

悪 (canonical)
o (romanization)
wo (romanization)
を (hiragana historical)

/wo/ → /o/
From Middle Chinese 惡 (MC 'uH).
The kan'on pronunciation, so likely a later borrowing.


魔

demon, devil, evil spirit, evil influence


十

十(じゅう) or 十(じっ) • (jū or ji') ^(←じふ (zifu)?)

十 (canonical)
十 (canonical)
jū (romanization)
ji' (romanization)
zifu (romanization)
じふ (hiragana historical)

/ʑipʉ/ → /ʑiɸu/ → /ʑɨu/ → /ʑuː//ʑiʔ/ → /ʑi~̚/
From Middle Chinese 十 (MC dzyip).


十

⟨so₁⟩ → */sʷo/ → /so/
From Old Japanese.
Used in compounds.


人

From Early Middle Chinese 人 (MC nyin). The goon reading, so likely the initial borrowing. Compare Shanghainese nyin.


人

From Late Middle Chinese 人 (MC nyin). The kan'on reading, so likely a later borrowing. Compare Mandarin 人 (rén).

Short for 人造 (jinzō): artificial, synthetic


水

⟨mi₁⟩ → */mʲi/ → /mi/
From Old Japanese.
Typically found in compounds.


水

/ɕuwi/ → */suwi/ → /sui/
From Middle Chinese 水 (MC sywijX).
Compare modern Mandarin 水 (shuǐ), modern Hakka 水 (súi).


むら

Analyzed by some references as an alternative form or older form of 群れ (mure, “a group, a gathering”), itself traceable to classical verb 群(む)る (muru, “to gather, to group together”), modern form 群れる (mureru).
First cited in the Kojiki of 712.


一

/itɨ/ → /it͡sɨ/ → /it͡ɕɨ/
From Middle Chinese 一 (ʔiɪt̚).
Compare modern Hokkien reading it.


一

/itʉ/ → /it͡sʉ/ → /it͡su/
From Middle Chinese 一 (ʔiɪt̚).


四

/si/ → /ɕi/
From Middle Chinese 四 (MC siɪᴴ).
Compare modern Hakka 四 (si).


刀

刀 (canonical)
tō (romanization)
tau (romanization)
たう (hiragana historical)

/tau/ → /tɔː/ → /toː/
Ultimately from Middle Chinese 刀 (MC taw). Compare modern Mandarin 刀 (dāo).
First cited as an independent noun to a text from 1895. Cited in compounds since at least the 800s CE.


曜

曜 (canonical)
yō (romanization)
eu (romanization)
えう (hiragana historical)

/jieu/ → /jeu/ → /jəː/ → /joː/
From Middle Chinese 曜 (MC yewH).


神

Kyūjitai
Mandarin language
Middle Chinese language
Shinjitai

From Middle Chinese 神 (MC zyin). Compare modern Mandarin 神 (shén).

阪神 (hanshin)

Short for 神戸 (Kōbe, “Kōbe (a city in Japan)”).


神

Kyūjitai
Middle Chinese language
Shinjitai


円

円 (canonical)
en (romanization)
wen (romanization)
ゑん (hiragana historical)

/wen/ → /eɴ/
From Middle Chinese 圓 (MC zjwen|hjwen), with the original sense of "circle, roundness".
The yen sense came much later in the Meiji period, from Chinese 圓／圆 (yuán), itself from 銀圓／银圆 (yínyuán, “round silver object(s), especially a piece of eight”). Compare Chinese 元 (yuán, “yuan”) and Korean 원 (won, “Korean won”). Doublet of 元 (gen, “yuan (Chinese currency)”), ユアン (yuan, “yuan (Chinese currency)”), and ウォン (won, “won (Korean currency)”).
The yen became the official currency of Japan in 1871, succeeding the 両 (ryō) and the 文 (mon).


亜

亜種

亜熱帯 ― anettai ― subtropics

Used as a phonetic element in transliterations, especially:

Short for アジア／亜細亜 (Ajia, “Asia (a continent)”).

replaced with 米 (bei) in modern times

(obsolete) Short for アメリカ／亜米利加 (Amerika): America, the United States

Alternative spelling of 堊 (a): white earth


心

/simʉ/ → */ɕimʉ/ → /ɕiɴ/
From Middle Chinese 心 (MC sim).
The Buddhist sense is a translation of Pali and Sanskrit चित्त (citta).

Short for 心臓 (shinzō): heart as an organ in the body

Short for 心頭 (shintō): heart, mind, spirit


仗

仗 (canonical)
jō (romanization)
dyau (romanization)
ぢやう (hiragana historical)

From Middle Chinese 仗. Compare modern Mandarin 仗 (zhàng).

a special imperial flag marking occasions of special dignity

仗議, 仗儀

in the Nara period, a kind of codified conference before the imperial court, whereby noble below the rank of minister would discuss the business of government

where noble would sit to offer counsel to the court

仗身

in the Nara period, the court-appointed bodyguard of officials of fifth or higher rank


南

/namʉ/ → /naɴ/
From Middle Chinese 南 (MC nom).


会

会 (canonical)
e (romanization)
ゑ (hiragana historical)

From Middle Chinese 會 (MC hwajH).
The goon pronunciation, so likely the initial borrowing.

図会

Alternative form of 絵 (e, “picture; drawing; painting”)


佚

From Middle Chinese 佚 (MC yit).
The kan'on pronunciation, so likely a later borrowing.


伯

Short for ブラジル／伯剌西爾 (Burajiru, “Brazil (a country)”).


位

位 (canonical)
i (romanization)
wi (romanization)
ゐ (hiragana historical)

交差位

a sex position in which both partners' legs are interlock

坐位

seat; posing of sit; sitting sex position

伸長位

a variation of the missionary position in which a man spread himself over the woman


偉

偉 (canonical)
i (romanization)
wi (romanization)
ゐ (hiragana historical)

/wi/ → /i/
From Middle Chinese 偉 (MC hjw+jX).

great, excellent, magnificent, extraordinary


依

From Middle Chinese 依 (MC 'j+j).
The kan'on pronunciation, so likely a later borrowing.

依然


依

From Middle Chinese 依 (MC 'j+j).
The goon pronunciation, so likely the initial borrowing.


仏

From Middle Chinese 佛 (MC bjut), shortened from 佛陀 (MC bjut da), itself a transliteration of Sanskrit बुद्ध (buddha).


仏

Short form of ateji spelling 仏蘭西 (Furansu).

札幌日仏協会


火

火 (canonical)
ka (romanization)
kwa (romanization)
くわ (hiragana historical)

/kwa/ → /ka/
From Middle Chinese 火 (MC xwaX).


京

京 (canonical)
kyō (romanization)
kyau (romanization)
きやう (hiragana historical)

(specifically) Kyōto (a city in Kyōto, Japan)

上京 (jōkyō)

(especially) Tōkyō (a province of Japan)


傭

ja-pos

傭(よう) • (yō)


僚

ja-noun

僚(りょう) • (ryō)


東

ja-pos

東(とう) • (tō)


勧

勧 (canonical)
kan (romanization)
kwan (romanization)
くわん (hiragana historical)


令

From Middle Chinese 令 (MC ljeng), 令 (MC ljengH), or 令 (MC lengH).

(historical) high-ranking official or magistrate

honorific prefix added before a term of kinship to show respect to someone else's relative


令

令 (canonical)
ryō (romanization)
ryau (romanization)
りやう (hiragana historical)

/rjau/ → /rjɔː/ → /rjoː/
From Middle Chinese 令 (MC ljeng), 令 (MC ljengH), or 令 (MC lengH).


事

From Middle Chinese 事 (MC dzriH, “thing, matter; task, job”).


却

冷却

焼却 ― shōkyaku ― incineration

売却


日

/nʲitɨ/ → /nit͡ɕi/
From Middle Chinese 日 (MC nyit).

Short for 日本 (Nihon, Nippon): Japan, Japanese, Nippo-

日本

Short for 日向国 (Hyūga-no-kuni): Hyūga Province


日

/d͡ʑitʉ/ → /d͡ʑit͡su/ → /ʑit͡su/
From Middle Chinese 日 (MC nyit). Compare modern Min Nan 日 (ji̍t).


丸

丸 (canonical)
gan (romanization)
gwan (romanization)
ぐわん (hiragana historical)

/ɡwan/ → /ɡan/
From Middle Chinese 丸 (MC hwan).


叡

From Middle Chinese 叡 (MC ywejH).
The 漢音 (kan'on) pronunciation, so likely a later borrowing.


加

(US) Short for 加州 (“California (a state of the United States)”).


刃

kill with a bladed object, put to the sword


雨

(figuratively) something falling like rain


中

ja-pos

中(ちゅう) • (chū)

日中関係

Short for 中学生 (chūgakusei): junior high school student


冬

冬(とう) • (tō)


傷

傷 (canonical)
shō (romanization)
syau (romanization)
しやう (hiragana historical)

/sjau/ → /sʲɔː/ → /sʲoː/
From Middle Chinese 傷 (MC syang|syangH).


唖

From Middle Chinese 啞 (MC 'aeX).
The kan'on reading, so likely a later borrowing.


后

后(こう) • (kō)


叫

叫(きょう) • (kyō)

From Middle Chinese 叫 (MC kewH), compare modern Min Nan kiò.


咫

From Old Japanese. Appears to be a shortening of ata.

デジタル大辞泉 w:ja:大辞泉#電子版

大辞林 w:ja:大辞林

(historical, archaic) roughly corresponds to the hand (traditional unit of length; in Japan, described as originally the distance from the tip of the thumb to the tip of the middle finger (or possibly index finger) with the hand outstretched, often defined as eight 寸 (sun, “traditional inch”) or roughly 18cm)

八咫鏡

The Eight-Ata Mirror; Yata no Kagami, one of the Imperial Regalia of Japan

八咫烏

Yata-garasu, an important figure in Shinto


咫

デジタル大辞泉 w:ja:大辞泉#電子版

大辞林 w:ja:大辞林


喚

喚 (canonical)
kan (romanization)
kwan (romanization)
くわん (hiragana historical)


別

From Ainu ペッ (pet, “water, river”). The kanji spelling is an example of ateji.


化

化 (canonical)
ka (romanization)
kwa (romanization)
くわ (hiragana historical)


咽

From Middle Chinese 咽 (MC 'et).
The kan'on pronunciation, so likely a later borrowing.

choked; smothered: Only used in 嗚咽 (oetsu, “sobbing (n.), to sob (v.)”)


咽

Alternative form of 嚥 (en, “swallow; gulp down”): Only used in 咽下 (enka, enge, “swallowing (n.), to swallow (v.)”)


凹

凹 (canonical)
ō (romanization)
afu (romanization)
あふ (hiragana historical)

/apu/ → /afu/ → /au/ → /ɔː/ → /oː/
From Middle Chinese 凹 (MC 'eap). Compare modern Mandarin reading āo, Min Nan au.

凹型

a die or other three-dimensional shape having a concave cross-section

凹多角形

a polygon with at least one internal reflex angle

凹地

an area where the ground is noticeable lower than the surrounding area

凹凸画: a style of Sui-Dynasty wall painting using trompe l'œil techniques to look three-dimensional


営

From Middle Chinese 營 (MC yweng).
The kan'on pronunciation, so likely a later borrowing.


刺

/si/ → /ɕi/
From Middle Chinese 刺 (MC tshjeH).


参

/ɕimʉ/ → /ɕiɴ/
The “Three Stars mansion” and “carrot, ginseng” senses are from Middle Chinese 參 (MC srim).
The “jagged, uneven” affix is from Middle Chinese 參 (MC tsrhim).


参

/ɕamʉ/ → /samʉ/ → /saɴ/
From Middle Chinese 參 (MC tshom).

go (for a specific purpose, for example)

Short for 参議院 (Sangiin): the House of Councillors (upper house of the Diet)


参

/samʉ/ → /saɴ/
From Middle Chinese 參 (MC sam).

Alternative spelling of 三 (san): 3, three

Short for 三河国 (Mikawa-no-kuni): Mikawa Province


嘲

嘲 (canonical)
chō (romanization)
teu (romanization)
てう (hiragana historical)

/teu/ → /t͡seu/ → /t͡ɕoː/
From Middle Chinese 嘲 (MC traew).


初

From Middle Chinese 初 (MC tsrhjo).
Compare Min Nan 初 (chho͘).


囲

囲 (canonical)
i (romanization)
wi (romanization)
ゐ (hiragana historical)

/wi/ → /i/
From Middle Chinese 圍 (MC hjw+j|hjw+jH). The kan'on.


力

From Middle Chinese 力 (lik). The goon reading, so likely the initial borrowing. Compare modern Cantonese reading lik⁶.

力学、力士、二馬力

“power studies” (dynamics), “strength person” (sumo wrestler), two horsepower


力

From Middle Chinese 力 (lì), but apparently from a different source dialect or at a different time than 力 (lik). The kan'on reading, so likely a later borrowing. Compare reconstructed Middle Chinese reading /li̯ək/ or Korean reading ryeok.
Only found in compounds and idioms in modern Japanese.

力争、権力

“strength struggle” (a hard fight), “right power” (authority)


匙

Likely an alteration of the kan'on reading shi: /si/ → /hi/


味

From Middle Chinese 味 (MC mj+jH).
Also used in Old Japanese as 借音 (shakuon) kana for ⟨mi₂⟩.

Alternative spelling of 身 (mi): body part


壊

From Middle Chinese 壞 (MC kweajH|hweajH).


墺

独墺同盟 (dokuō dōmei)

独墺同盟 どくおうどうめい

オーストリア オーストリア#Japanese

Short for オーストリア／墺太利 (Ōsutoria, “Austria (a country)”).


唯

/juwi/ → /jui/
From Middle Chinese 唯 (MC ywij).


唯

唯 (canonical)
i (romanization)
wi (romanization)
ゐ (hiragana historical)

/wi/ → /i/
From Middle Chinese 唯 (MC ywijX).

polite particle used to respond to elders: yes

For pronunciation and definitions of 唯 – see the following entry: たんだ

For pronunciation and definitions of 唯 – see the following entry: ない


員

員 (canonical)
in (romanization)
ゐん (hiragana historical)


壱

Short for 壱岐国 (Iki no kuni, “Iki Province”).


域

域 (canonical)
iki (romanization)
wiki (romanization)
ゐき (hiragana historical)

From Middle Chinese 域 (MC hwik). Compare modern Cantonese 域 (wik⁶, /wɪk̚²/).
The goon pronunciation, so likely the initial borrowing.


右

右 (canonical)
yū (romanization)
iu (romanization)
いう (hiragana historical)

The “right (direction)” and “respect, esteem, value” senses are from Middle Chinese 右 (MC hjuwX).
The “aid, assist” sense is from Middle Chinese 右 / 佑 (MC hjuwH).
The kan'on pronunciation, so likely a later borrowing.

Alternative form of 佑 (yū, “aid; assist”)


光

光 (canonical)
kō (romanization)
kwau (romanization)
くわう (hiragana historical)

/kʷau/ → /kʷɔː/ → /kɔː/ → /koː/
From Middle Chinese 光 (MC kwang).
Compare modern Mandarin 光 (guāng), Hakka 光 (kông), and Min Nan 光 (kong).


器

From Middle Chinese 器 (khijᴴ, “vessel; instrument”).


因

Short for 因幡国 (Inaba no kuni): Inaba Province


園

園 (canonical)
en (romanization)
wen (romanization)
ゑん (hiragana historical)

/wen/ → /eɴ/
From Middle Chinese 園 (MC hjwon).


塩

From Middle Chinese 鹽 (MC yem, “salt”) and 鹽 (MC yemH, “to salt; salting”).

(chemistry) Short for 塩素 (enso): chlorine


在

From Middle Chinese 在 (MC dzojX|dzojH). Attested in compounds since at least the 900s.


基

アミノ基


央

央 (canonical)
ō (romanization)
au (romanization)
あう (hiragana historical)

(US) Short for 央州 (“Oregon (a state of the United States)”).


妖

妖(よう) • (yō)


媛

媛 (canonical)
en (romanization)
wen (romanization)
ゑん (hiragana historical)


回

回 (canonical)
kai (romanization)
kwai (romanization)
くわい (hiragana historical)

From Middle Chinese 回 (MC hwoj).
The kan'on pronunciation, so likely a later borrowing.

Alternative form of 蛔 (kai, “roundworm; intestinal worm”)


回

回 (canonical)
e (romanization)
ゑ (hiragana historical)

From Middle Chinese 回 (MC hwoj).
The goon pronunciation, so likely the initial borrowing.


声

声 (canonical)
shō (romanization)
syau (romanization)
しやう (hiragana historical)

/sjau/ → /ɕau/ → /ɕɔː/ → /ɕoː/
From Middle Chinese 聲 (MC syeng).


委

委 (canonical)
i (romanization)
wi (romanization)
ゐ (hiragana historical)

/wi/ → /i/
From Middle Chinese 委 (MC 'jwe|'jweX).


威

威 (canonical)
i (romanization)
wi (romanization)
ゐ (hiragana historical)

/wi/ → /i/
From Middle Chinese 威 (MC 'jw+j).

power; might; strength; authority; dignity; majesty


嬰

From Middle Chinese 嬰 (MC 'jieng).
The kan'on pronunciation, so likely a later borrowing.


宴

From Middle Chinese 宴 (ʔenᴴ, “banquet, feast”).


尉

尉 (canonical)
i (romanization)
wi (romanization)
ゐ (hiragana historical)

/wi/ → /i/
From Middle Chinese 尉 (MC 'jw+jH).

a watchman or military officer in the ancient Chinese military


和

Empress Genmei
Muromachi period
Wa (Japanese)
ja:和

From Middle Chinese 和 (MC hwa, “harmonious”).
The “Japan” sense appears during the reign of Empress Genmei (707–715 CE), as this character 和(わ) (Wa) was chosen as a homophone with a more favorable meaning to replace the previous character 倭(わ) (Wa) then in use as the kanji name for Japan (see the etymology at 大和(やまと) (Yamato) for more details). The “Japan” sense was usually read with a kun'yomi of yamato, until some time in the Muromachi period, when the go'on reading of Wa became more common.

和露辞典

和食

和室

a Japanese-style room with tatami flooring and usually sliding doors

和映画


将

将 (canonical)
shō (romanization)
syau (romanization)
しやう (hiragana historical)

/sɨau/ → /sʲɔː/ → /sʲoː/
The “commander”, and “general, other high-ranking officer” senses are from Middle Chinese 將 (MC tsjangH).
The “take, hold” and “from now on” affixes are from Middle Chinese 將 (MC tsjang).


宛

宛 (canonical)
en (romanization)
wen (romanization)
ゑん (hiragana historical)

From Middle Chinese 宛 (MC 'jwonX).
The kan'on pronunciation, so likely a later borrowing.


寝

/sim/ → /simʉ/ → /ɕimʉ/ → /ɕiɴ/
From Middle Chinese 寢 (MC tshimX).


完

完 (canonical)
kan (romanization)
kwan (romanization)
くわん (hiragana historical)

complete, perfect, infallible, faultless


巻

巻 (canonical)
kan (romanization)
kwan (romanization)
くわん (hiragana historical)

From Middle Chinese 卷 (MC gjwen|gjwonX|kjwenX|kjwenH).


容

容(よう) • (yō)


巉

Ultimately from Middle Chinese 巉 (MC dzraem|dzraemX).

(rare) rugged, steep, jagged (as of a mountain range)

Listed as a -na adjective

巉巌 (zangan, “jagged and steep”, said of a mountain)

but only observed in use as an adverb using particle に


巌

/ipa/ → /ifa/ → /iwa/
From Old Japanese. Found in the Man'yōshū finished some time after 759 CE.
From Middle Chinese 巖 (MC ngaem).

(only found in compounds) a rock, crag, or boulder

巌下

the underneath of a large rock, crag, or boulder

巌桂: alternative name for 木犀

sweet osmanthus, a kind of flowering bush

巌松

a pine tree growing out of a crag or boulder


帷

帷 (canonical)
i (romanization)
wi (romanization)
ゐ (hiragana historical)

/wi/ → /i/
From Middle Chinese 帷 (MC hwij).


希

希 (canonical)
希 (canonical)
ki (romanization)
ke (romanization)


官

官 (canonical)
kan (romanization)
kwan (romanization)
くわん (hiragana historical)

public; state-owned (use, facility, etc.)


寒

From Middle Chinese 寒 (MC han).
The basic cold sense as an affix is attested from some of the earliest texts in the 700s CE. Use as an independent noun is first attested in a text from roughly 900 CE.


巳

the Snake, the sixth of the twelve Earthly Branches


娃

Sino-Japanese.
The 漢音 (kan'on) reading, so likely a later borrowing.

beauty, beautiful girl (generally only used in names)


崖

From Middle Chinese 崖 (MC ngje|ngea, “cliff, precipice”). Not attested in isolation. First attested in compound 崖岸 (gaigan, “cliff shore, cliff bank”) in 900.


廠

廠 (canonical)
shō (romanization)
syau (romanization)
しやう (hiragana historical)

/sjau/ → /ɕɔː/ → /ɕoː/
From Middle Chinese 廠 (MC tsyhangX|tsyhangH).


尚

尚 (canonical)
shō (romanization)
syau (romanization)
しやう (hiragana historical)


彙

彙 (canonical)
i (romanization)
wi (romanization)
ゐ (hiragana historical)

/wi/ → /i/
From Middle Chinese 彙 (MC hjw+jH).

to sort and collect; collection, compilation, group


弾

弾 (canonical)
dan (romanization)
だん (hiragana historical)


庸

庸(よう) • (yō)


応

/ou/ → /oː/
From Middle Chinese 應 (MC 'ingH).

respond, reply, answer (a question, call, etc.)


宵

宵 (canonical)
shō (romanization)
seu (romanization)
せう (hiragana historical)

/seu/ → /ɕeu/ → /ɕoː/
From Middle Chinese 宵 (MC sjew).


悦

From Middle Chinese 悅 (MC ywet).
The kan'on pronunciation, so likely a later borrowing.


怨

怨 (canonical)
en (romanization)
wen (romanization)
ゑん (hiragana historical)

From Middle Chinese 怨 (MC 'jwon|'jwonH).
The kan'on pronunciation, so likely a later borrowing.


怨

怨 (canonical)
on (romanization)
をん (hiragana historical)

From Middle Chinese 怨 (MC 'jwon|'jwonH).
The goon pronunciation, so likely the initial borrowing.


恵

恵 (canonical)
e (romanization)
ゑ (hiragana historical)

/we/ → /e/
From Middle Chinese 惠 (MC hwejH), itself a translation of Sanskrit प्राज्ञा (prājñā, “wisdom”).
The goon reading, so likely the initial borrowing.


役

From Middle Chinese 役 (MC ywek).
The kan'on pronunciation, so likely a later borrowing.


引

bear; undertake; accept (particularly for "accept")


慇

From Middle Chinese 慇 (MC 'j+n).
The kan'on pronunciation, so likely a later borrowing.

Only used in 慇懃 (ingin, “courteous; intimate”)


往

往 (canonical)
ō (romanization)
wau (romanization)
わう (hiragana historical)

*/waŋ/ → /wau/ → /ɔː/ → /oː/
From Middle Chinese 往 (MC hjwangX).


悔

悔 (canonical)
kai (romanization)
kwai (romanization)
くわい (hiragana historical)


慰

慰 (canonical)
i (romanization)
wi (romanization)
ゐ (hiragana historical)

/wi/ → /i/
From Middle Chinese 慰 (MC 'jw+jH).


尻

From Ainu シㇼ (sir, “place, island”). The kanji spelling is an example of ateji.


抛

抛 (canonical)
hō (romanization)
fau (romanization)
はう (hiragana historical)

抛物面

paraboloid, a 3D surface in the shape of a parabola

抛物線面

抛物線面 ほうぶつせんめん

抛物面鏡

抛物面鏡 ほうぶつめんきょう


島

島 (canonical)
tō (romanization)
tau (romanization)
たう (hiragana historical)

/tau/ → /tɔː/ → /toː/
From Middle Chinese 島 (MC tawX).


慣

慣 (canonical)
kan (romanization)
kwan (romanization)
くわん (hiragana historical)


快

快 (canonical)
kai (romanization)
kwai (romanization)
くわい (hiragana historical)

pleasant, pleasing, comfortable, enjoyable


律

From Middle Chinese 律 (MC lwit).
The Buddhist senses are a translation of Sanskrit विनय (vinaya, “discipline, guidance, humility”).

der

(Buddhism) rules of discipline for a monastic community


押

押 (canonical)
ō (romanization)
afu (romanization)
あふ (hiragana historical)


揺

揺 (canonical)
yō (romanization)
eu (romanization)
えう (hiragana historical)


布

From Middle Chinese 布 (MC puH).
;“Hawaii”
Short form of ateji (当て字) spelling 布哇.

(US) Short for ハワイ (“Hawaii (a state and former kingdom in the United States)”).


截

From Middle Chinese 截. Compare modern Cantonese 截 (zit⁶).

截枝

a method of pruning, whereby tree branches are removed to prompt new growth at the site of the old branches

截頭

a clipped point, as when a leaf or flower-petal tip is snipped


截

Probably originally a misreading based on this character's visual and semantic similarity to 裁, commonly read as sai.

截金

thin layers of gold leaf cut into various shapes

or some other substance into a defined pattern

截留

embezzlement by government officials in ancient Japan

截癱

a kind of motor paralysis in the lower leg or lower torso, due to spinal damage or chronic alcoholism


患

患 (canonical)
kan (romanization)
kwan (romanization)
くわん (hiragana historical)


弗

弗 (canonical)
弗 (canonical)
futsu (romanization)

Originally borrowed from Middle Chinese 弗 (*pjut), meaning either “not” or “a gust of wind”. Apparently later repurposed during the later Edo period for its phonetic value in translating the Dutch fluor (“fluorine”).

(chemistry, chemical elements) fluorine, fluoride

六弗化リン酸リチウム: lithium hexafluorophosphate

ろくふっかりんさんりちうむ


握

握手

握力

把握


影

From Middle Chinese 影 (MC 'jaengX).
The kan'on pronunciation, so likely a later borrowing.


影

ja-pos

影(よう) • (yō)

From Middle Chinese 影 (MC 'jaengX).
The goon pronunciation, so likely the initial borrowing.


換

換 (canonical)
kan (romanization)
kwan (romanization)
くわん (hiragana historical)


御

From Middle Chinese 御 (MC ngjoH).
The kan'on reading, so likely a later borrowing.

Alternative spelling of 禦 (gyo): defend, protect


援

援 (canonical)
en (romanization)
wen (romanization)
ゑん (hiragana historical)

From Middle Chinese 援 (MC hjwon|hjwenH).


招

招(しょう) • (shō)


揚

揚 (canonical)
yō (romanization)
yau (romanization)
やう (hiragana historical)


怪

怪 (canonical)
kai (romanization)
kwai (romanization)
くわい (hiragana historical)


擁

擁(よう) • (yō)


昭

昭 (canonical)
shō (romanization)
seu (romanization)
せう (hiragana historical)

/seu/ → /ɕeu/ → /ɕʲoː/
From Middle Chinese 昭 (MC tsyew).


敬

From Middle Chinese 敬 (kjængᴴ, “respectful”).


昼

昼 (canonical)
chū (romanization)
tiu (romanization)
ちう (hiragana historical)

/tiu/ → /t͡ɕiu/ → /t͡ɕuː/
From Middle Chinese 晝 (MC trjuwH)


映

From Middle Chinese 映 (MC 'jaengH).
The kan'on pronunciation, so likely a later borrowing.

映像: an image

especially one on a screen or in one's mind


所

⟨to₁⟩ → /*tʷo/ → /to/
From Old Japanese, from Proto-Japonic *to. Appears mainly as an affixing element indicating place, as in 後 (ato, “after; behind; the back of something”), from 跡 (ato, “footprint, track”), itself a compound of 足 (a, “foot”) + 所 (to, “place”); or in 留まる (todomaru, “to stop in a place”), itself a compound of と (to, “place”) + とまる (tomaru, “to stop”).


晦

晦 (canonical)
kai (romanization)
kwai (romanization)
くわい (hiragana historical)

/kʷai/ → /kai/
From Middle Chinese 晦 (MC xwojH).


支

1923, 在米國華盛頓州シアトル市米國西北部聯絡日本人會, 米國西北部在留日本人發展略史 (Beikoku Seihoku-bu Zairyū Nihonjin Hatten Ryakushi) [A Brief History of the Development of the Resident Japanese in the Northwest of America], page 4:

Statistics for the distribution of the Japanese and Chinese population

日支人々口分布統計

人々口分 じんじんこうぶん

1945, Hirohito, Hirohito surrender broadcast:

朕ハ帝國政府ヲシテ米英支蘇四國ニ對シ其ノ共同宣言ヲ受諾スル旨通告セシメタリ

Chin wa teikoku seifu o shite bei ei shi so shikoku ni taishi sono kyōdō sengen o judaku suru mune tsūkoku seshimetari

We have ordered our government to communicate to the governments of the United States, Great Britain, China and the Soviet Union that our empire accepts the provisions of their joint declaration.


旺

旺 (canonical)
ō (romanization)
wau (romanization)
わう (hiragana historical)

/wau/ → /wɔː/ → */woː/ → /oː/
From Middle Chinese 旺 (MC hjwangH).


栃

栃 (canonical)
rei (romanization)
れい (hiragana historical)

Spelling pronunciation, guided by characters like 励(れい) (rei) and 蛎(れい) (rei). As a kokuji designed for the native word とち (tochi), 栃 originally does not have an on'yomi.

Short for 栃木 (Tochigi, “Tochigi (a prefecture of Japan)”).


杏

杏 (canonical)
kyō (romanization)
kyau (romanization)
きやう (hiragana historical)

/kjau/ → /kjɔː/ → /kjoː/
From Middle Chinese 杏 (MC haengX).


平

Short for 平氏 (Heishi) or 平家 (Heike): Taira clan


平

平 (canonical)
hyō (romanization)
fyau (romanization)
ひやう (hiragana historical)

Kyūjitai
Middle Chinese language
Shinjitai
Tōkyō

/pʲau/ → /ɸʲɔː/ → /hʲoː/
Possibly from Middle Chinese 平 (MC bjaeng).

Short for 平声 (hyōshō): the level tone in Middle Chinese


平

平 (canonical)
byō (romanization)
byau (romanization)
びやう (hiragana historical)

/bʲau/ → /bʲɔː/ → /bʲoː/
From Middle Chinese 平 (MC bjaeng).


暗

From Middle Chinese 暗 (MC 'omH).
The kan'on reading, so likely a later borrowing.


政

政 (canonical)
shō (romanization)
syau (romanization)
しやう (hiragana historical)

/ɕʲau/ → /ɕɔː/ → /ɕoː/
From Middle Chinese 政 (MC tsyengH).


易

From Middle Chinese 易 (MC yek).
The kan'on, so likely a later borrowing.


来

From Middle Chinese 來 (MC loj).
Compare modern Mandarin 來／来 (lái).

from (some point in the) past to present


柳

柳 (canonical)
ryū (romanization)
riu (romanization)
りう (hiragana historical)


柔

柔 (canonical)
jū (romanization)
diu (romanization)
ぢう (hiragana historical)

/d͡ʑɨu/ → /d͡ʑuː/ → /ʑuː/
From Middle Chinese 柔 (MC nyuw).

martial art involving gentleness, such as jujitsu or judo


柔

柔 (canonical)
nyū (romanization)
niu (romanization)
にう (hiragana historical)

/nɨu/ → /ɲuː/
From Middle Chinese 柔 (MC nyuw).


楊

楊(よう) • (yō)


期

From Middle Chinese 期 (MC gi, “period of time”).


天

From Middle Chinese 天 (MC then, “sky; heavens”). Compare modern Mandarin reading tiān.


楷

regular script: a style of Chinese characters that is square and straight-lined


梓

/si/ → /ɕi/
From Middle Chinese 梓 (MC tsiX).


教

教 (canonical)
kyō (romanization)
keu (romanization)
けう (hiragana historical)

/keu/ → /kjoː/
From Middle Chinese 教 (MC kaew|kaewH, “to teach, to instruct”).


暁

暁 (canonical)
gyō (romanization)
geu (romanization)
げう (hiragana historical)

/ɡeu/ → */ɡʲəː/ → /ɡʲoː/
From Middle Chinese 曉 (MC xewX).


横

横 (canonical)
ō (romanization)
wau (romanization)
わう (hiragana historical)

From Middle Chinese 橫 (MC hwaeng, “horizontal”) and 橫 (MC hwaengH, “violent; unexpected”).

self-willed; arbitrary; unrestrained and aggressive


欧

From Middle Chinese 歐 (MC 'uw|'uwX), originally meaning “to vomit” (ʔəu^X, modern Mandarin ǒu, Cantonese au²). Later taken from the first character of the transliteration 欧羅巴 (Yōroppa, “Europe”), which is identified with ʔəu (modern Mandarin ōu, Cantonese au¹).
The 漢音 (kan'on) reading, so likely a later borrowing.

ヨーロッパ ヨーロッパ#Japanese

Short for ヨーロッパ／欧羅巴 (Yōroppa, “Europe (a continent)”).


歓

歓 (canonical)
kan (romanization)
kwan (romanization)
くわん (hiragana historical)


桑

桑 (canonical)
sō (romanization)
sau (romanization)
さう (hiragana historical)

(US) Short for 桑港 (“San Francisco (a city in California, United States)”).


残

残業、残金、残飯、残骸、残念

overtime work; remaining money; leftover food; wreckage; regret

残欠、残品

残酷、残虐、残忍


汚

汚 (canonical)
o (romanization)
wo (romanization)
を (hiragana historical)

From Middle Chinese 污 (ʔuoH).
The kan'on pronunciation, so likely a later borrowing.


林

/rimʉ/ → /riɴ/
From Middle Chinese 林 (MC lim).


氓

ja-pos

氓(ぼう) • (bō)


梨

From Middle Chinese 梨 (MC lij). Compare modern Mandarin 梨 (lí).

梨園

the theatrical world, the world of the theater

Pyrus pyrifolia
Pyrus pyrifolia#Translingual

more specifically, a Japanese pear or Asian pear (Pyrus pyrifolia)


梨

the flowering quince: Pseudocydonia sinensis

the Chinese quince: Chaenomeles sinensis


明

明 (canonical)
myō (romanization)
myau (romanization)
みやう (hiragana historical)

/mʲau/ → /mʲɔː/ → /mʲoː/
From Middle Chinese 明 (MC mjaeng).
The Buddhist senses are a translation of Sanskrit विद्या (vidyā, “knowledge, wisdom”).

der

(Buddhism) passing of knowledge, scholarship, or study


款

款 (canonical)
kan (romanization)
kwan (romanization)
くわん (hiragana historical)

articles or clauses of an agreement, document of proof, etc.


模

From Middle Chinese 模 (MC mu).
The goon pronunciation, so likely the initial borrowing.


模

From Middle Chinese 模 (MC mu).
The kan'on pronunciation, so likely a later borrowing.


沼

沼 (canonical)
shō (romanization)
seu (romanization)
せう (hiragana historical)

/seu/ → /ɕeu/ → /ɕʲoː/
From Middle Chinese 沼 (tsyew^X, “swamp”). Compare modern Mandarin 沼 (zhǎo).
Only ever used in compounds.


殷

The senses “Shang dynasty” and “prosperous” are from Middle Chinese 殷 (MC 'j+n), corresponding to modern Mandarin yīn and Cantonese jan¹. The sense “rumbling” corresponds to modern Mandarin yǐn and Cantonese jan².
The kan'on pronunciation, so likely a later borrowing.


橘

源平藤橘

Genpeitōkitsu, the four major clans in the Nara period: Minamoto, Taira, Fujiwara and Tachibana

源平藤橘 げんぺいとうきつ


洛

洛 (canonical)
raku (romanization)
らく (hiragana historical)

From Middle Chinese 洛 (MC lak), originally referring to 洛陽(らくよう) (Rakuyō, “Luoyang”).

上洛 (jōraku)

(especially) Kyōto (a city in Kyōto, Japan)


永

From Middle Chinese 永 (MC hjwaengX).
The kan'on pronunciation, so likely a later borrowing.


永

永 (canonical)
yō (romanization)
yau (romanization)
やう (hiragana historical)

From Middle Chinese 永 (MC hjwaengX).
The goon pronunciation, so likely the initial borrowing.

(rare) Synonym of 永 (ei, “long (time), eternal”)


温

温 (canonical)
on (romanization)
をん (hiragana historical)


汗

From Middle Chinese 汗 (MC han|kan|hanH).


時

/ʑi/ → /ʑi//d͡ʑi/
From Middle Chinese 時 (MC dzyi).


武

From Middle Chinese 武 (mju^X, “military”).
The goon reading of mu, so likely the initial borrowing.


梅

From a later borrowing of Middle Chinese 梅 (MC mwoj).

Short for 梅雨 (baiu): East Asian rainy season


桜

桜 (canonical)
ō (romanization)
au (romanization)
あう (hiragana historical)

/au/ → /ɔː/ → /oː/
From Middle Chinese 櫻 (MC 'eang).

サクラメント サクラメント#Japanese

(US) Short for サクラメント／桜府 (Sakuramento, “Sacramento (a city in California, United States)”).


溢

From Middle Chinese 溢 (MC yit).
The kan'on pronunciation, so likely a later borrowing.


渦

渦 (canonical)
ka (romanization)
kwa (romanization)
くわ (hiragana historical)

/kwa/ → /ka/
From Middle Chinese 渦 (MC kwa, “eddy, swirl, whirlpool”).

渦中

the one involved, the one dragged in, the one caught up


潰

潰 (canonical)
kai (romanization)
kwai (romanization)
くわい (hiragana historical)


溶

ja-pos

溶(よう) • (yō)


濃

濃(のう) • (nō)


有

有 (canonical)
yū (romanization)
iu (romanization)
いう (hiragana historical)

From Middle Chinese 有 (MC hjuwX). The sense “and, with a remainder of” is from Middle Chinese 有 / 又 (MC hjuwH).
The kan'on pronunciation, so likely a later borrowing.

(between numbers) and; with a remainder of


有

From Middle Chinese 有 (MC hjuwX).
The goon pronunciation, so likely the initial borrowing.


民

民 (canonical)
min (romanization)
みん (hiragana historical)


次

From Middle Chinese 次 (MC tshijH, “in order; second”).
Less common reading in modern Japanese. Superseded in most cases by ji; see below.


独

独 (canonical)
doku (romanization)
どく (hiragana historical)

1947, Ango Sakaguchi, 『二十七歳』
独探のケンギを受けて、大正五年だかに国外退去を命じられたという。
Dokutan no kengi o ukete, taishō gonen daka ni kokugai taikyo o meijirareta to iu.
[He was] accused of being a German spy and was officially deported in some time around 1916, as the story goes.

大正五年 たいしょうごねん

国外退去 こくがいたいきょ

Short for ドイツ／独逸 (Doitsu, “Germany (a country)”).


波

/pa/ → /ɸa/ → /ha/
From Middle Chinese 波 (MC pa).


灰

灰 (canonical)
kai (romanization)
kwai (romanization)
くわい (hiragana historical)


煤

From Middle Chinese 煤 (MC mwoj). Compare modern Min Nan reading bôe.


狭

From Old Japanese.
Possibly the original form of se below.


流

流 (canonical)
ryū (romanization)
riu (romanization)
りう (hiragana historical)


爪

From Old Japanese. The root form of tsume above, generally only used in compounds. Cognate with 端 (tsuma, “edge, side of something”) and 妻 (tsuma, “wife”, original sense of “spouse”).

爪音

the sound of a stringed instrument when pluck with a pick or plectrum; the sound of a horse's hoofbeat

爪弾く

to pluck with one's fingernail, such as a stringed instrument

爪折る

to pick or break something off with one's fingernail

爪隠し

hiding one's claw; a kind of zōri grass sandal, where the front end extends and folds over the tops of the toe

摘まむ

to pinch; to pick at; to pick something up with the tip of one's finger

摘む

to pick something up with the tip of one's finger; to snip the tip off of something


照

照 (canonical)
shō (romanization)
seu (romanization)
せう (hiragana historical)

/seu/ → /ɕeu/ → /ɕʲoː/
From Middle Chinese 照 (MC tsyewH).


星

From Middle Chinese 星 (MC seng).
The Singapore sense derives from the pre-World War Two kanji spelling 星加坡 (modern kanji spelling 新加坡) as borrowed from Chinese, itself a transliteration of Malay Singapura.

星雲

星団

星図


為

為 (canonical)
i (romanization)
wi (romanization)
ゐ (hiragana historical)

/wi/ → /i/
From Middle Chinese 為 (MC hjwe).


珪

/kʷei/ → /kei/
From Middle Chinese 珪 (MC kwej).

(historical) jade tablet conferred upon princes as a symbol of authority


珪

From Dutch keiaarde. An ateji (当て字) coined by Japanese scientist Udagawa Yōan in 1837 in his book 舎密開宗 (Seimi Kaisō, “Introduction to Chemistry”).


死

/si/ → /ɕi/
Appears to be a conflation of Middle Chinese 死 (MC sijX), with an Old Japanese root that happened to have a similar pronunciation to the Middle Chinese and was probably cognate with 去る (saru, “to go, to go away”). Compare modern Mandarin 死 (sǐ).
In kanji compounds, this would be considered as on'yomi; but on its own, this could be considered as either on'yomi or kun'yomi.

死灰

cold, dead ash; ash remaining after cremation

死界

underworld, world of the dead; blind spot, somewhere out of view

死学

field of study that has no practical use

死菌

dead bacterium or inactive virus used as the basis for a vaccine

死句

plain phrase or line in a poem, containing no implied meaning; ascetic's unsaid word or phrase, due to mental mistake

死蔵

putting something away and never using it

死文

dead law, law that is on the books but never enforced; document that is purely formal and empty of meaning


炎

/emʉ/ → /eɴ/
From Middle Chinese 炎 (MC hjem).


猿

猿 (canonical)
en (romanization)
wen (romanization)
ゑん (hiragana historical)

From Middle Chinese 猿 (MC hjwon).
The kan'on pronunciation, so likely a later borrowing.


山

From Middle Chinese 山 (MC srean).
Sometimes spelled with rendaku (連濁), as -zan.


甄

Ultimately from Middle Chinese 甄 (MC tsyin|kjien).

甄揚: to make one's reputation clear to the world at large and thereby build up one's prestige

甄録

to clearly write something down, to record with clarity


畏

畏 (canonical)
i (romanization)
wi (romanization)
ゐ (hiragana historical)

From Middle Chinese 畏 (MC 'jw+jH).
The kan'on, so likely a later borrowing.


比

*(ratio, compare, equal, match): from Middle Chinese 比 (MC pjijX).
*(eighth hexagram of the I Ching): from Middle Chinese 比 (MC pjijH) or 比 (MC bjijH).
*(Philippines): short form of the ateji (当て字) spelling 比律賓(フィリピン) (Firipin).

フィリピン フィリピン#Japanese

Short for フィリピン (Firipin): the Philippines


灯

ja-pos

灯(とう) • (tō)


煙

tobacco, tobacco products such as cigarettes or cigars


疣

疣 (canonical)
yū (romanization)
iu (romanization)
いう (hiragana historical)

(rare, medicine, only in compounds) a small protrusion of the skin: a wart, a verruca, a skin tag

足底疣贅

足底疣贅 そくていゆうぜい


牙

From Middle Chinese 牙 (MC ngae). Compare modern Cantonese reading ngaa⁴.
The kan'on reading, so probably a later importation.

牙営

the headquarters of a general in a field camp

牙関緊急

lockjaw, a common symptom in the early stages of tetanus

牙旗: a flag raised at the site of an emperor's

牙行

in China, a middleman or go-between in a commercial transaction

牙虫

a water scavenger beetle of family Hydrophilidae

牙斧

a small axe or hatchet made from boar tusk

牙保罪

the crime of fencing goods known to be stolen

牙門: a gate on which a general's flag is flying

a small claw-shaped ivory clasp for holding a book closed

the pole of which was traditionally decorated with ivory on the end


烏

From Middle Chinese 烏 (MC 'u).
The goon pronunciation, so likely the initial borrowing.

烏有 ― uyū ― (literally “not-have”) nonexistence; nothing

rhetorical question
rhetorical question#English

A Chinese interrogative for rhetorical questions.


盈

From Middle Chinese 盈 (MC yeng).
The kan'on pronunciation, so likely a later borrowing.

to be full; to be filled; (of moon) to wax


痴

From Middle Chinese 痴 (MC trhi). Compare modern Mandarin 痴 (chī).
The Buddhist sense is a translation of Sanskrit मोह (moha, “folly, ignorance”) or मूढ (mūḍha, “fool”).


子

子(し) or 子(す) or 子(su) or 子(shi) • (shi or su)

子 (canonical)
子 (canonical)
子 (canonical)
子 (canonical)
shi (romanization)
su (romanization)

Chinese language
Man'yōshū
Middle Chinese language

From Middle Chinese 子 (MC tsiX), also used in the Man'yōshū (c. 759 CE) as 借音 (shakuon) kana for ⟨si⟩. Compare modern Mandarin 子 (zǐ).
The goon reading of shi is likely the original borrowing:
: /t͡sɨ/ → /sɨ/ → */ɕɨ/ → /ɕi/
The tōon reading su appears later, and only shows up in certain set terms borrowed from Chinese, where it seems to serve as a kind of nominalizing suffix:
: /t͡sɨ/ → /sɨ/ → */sʉ/ → /su/

子実体

the sporocarp or fruiting body of certain fungi

子葉

cotyledon or seed leaf, the first leaf of a sprouting plant

烏帽子

formal black peaked cap worn by nobility

Short for 子爵 (shishaku): the fourth rank of nobility in Meiji-postwar Japan, equivalent to a viscount

子爵

an honorific for a learned man, such as teacher or master

a philosophy branch of Chinese literature, either derived from or outside of the Hundred Schools of Thought

an object which has a subservient or derivative role relative to another object

中性子 (chūseishi): neutral + small thing → a neutron

椅子 (isu): chair + small thing → a chair

an object having a particular state or property (sometimes diminutive)


爾

second person archaic pronoun: thou, you

distal pronoun equivalent to modern それ (sore) or その (sono): that

auxiliary character in 漢文 (kanbun) texts indicating state or condition


琴

/kimʉ/ → /kiɴ/
From Middle Chinese 琴 (MC gim). The kan'on pronunciation, so likely a later borrowing.

guqin (ancient Chinese seven-stringed zither) or other related instruments


瓦

瓦 (canonical)
ga (romanization)
gwa (romanization)
ぐわ (hiragana historical)

From Middle Chinese 瓦 (MC ngwaeX|ngwaeH).

瓦斯 (gasu): gas


異

From Middle Chinese 異 (MC yiH). Compare modern Mandarin 異／异 (yì, /i⁵¹/), Cantonese 異／异 (ji⁶, /jiː²²/).

strange; unusual; extraordinary; excellent


王

王 (canonical)
ō (romanization)
wau (romanization)
わう (hiragana historical)

/wau/ → /wɔː/ → */woː/ → /oː/
From Middle Chinese 王 (MC hjwang).


物

物 (canonical)
butsu (romanization)
butu (romanization)
ぶつ (hiragana historical)

From Middle Chinese 物 (MC mjut). Compare Hokkien 物 (bu̍t).


皇

皇 (canonical)
kō (romanization)
kwau (romanization)
くわう (hiragana historical)

/kʷau/ → /kʷɔː/ → /kɔː/ → /koː/
From Middle Chinese 皇 (MC hwang).
The 漢音 (kan'on, literally “Han sound”) pronunciation, so likely a later borrowing from Middle Chinese.


皇

皇 (canonical)
ō (romanization)
wau (romanization)
わう (hiragana historical)

/wau/ → /wɔː/ → /ɔː/ → /oː/
From Middle Chinese 皇 (MC hwang).
The 呉音 (goon, literally “Wu sound”) pronunciation, so likely the initial borrowing.


笛

From Middle Chinese 笛 (MC dek). The 漢音 (kan'on, literally “Han sound”), so likely a later borrowing.
First cited to a text from the 1400s. This reading appears to have fallen out of use.


的

From Middle Chinese 的 (tek, literally “mark in a target”, also meaning “bright”).

的言

bon mot, the right word or turn of phrase for the occasion

的殺: in 九星

kyūsei, an astrology system from ancient China

the opposite direction from the favored direction for one's age

的屋, 的野

a hawker, a peddler of cheap and gaudy wares


竜

ja-pos

竜(りゅう) • (ryū)


竜

竜(りょう) • (ryō)


絵

絵 (canonical)
kai (romanization)
kwai (romanization)
くわい (hiragana historical)

From Middle Chinese 繪 (MC hwajH). The kan'on reading, so likely a later borrowing.


紬

紬 (canonical)
chū (romanization)
tiu (romanization)
ちう (hiragana historical)

/tiu/ → /t͡sʲiu/ → /t͡ɕuː/
From Middle Chinese 紬 (MC drjuw).


私

/si/ → /ɕi/
From Middle Chinese 私 (MC sij).

私愛

favoritism, partiality; a secret love for a woman; the woman so loved

私印偽造

creating a copy of someone else's sigil to forge their stamp

私営鉄道

privately-operated railway, private rails

私営田

in the Heian Period, fields used for large-scale private farming by powerful clans, rather than public farming by the state

私謁

audience with the emperor regarding a private matter; a private rather than public request

私家

one's own home; an individual's home, as opposed to the palace or an office

私家版

self-publishing, generally without profit motive and with limited distribution; private printing or private edition

私学助成

government subsidization of private education

私間法

conflict of laws; private international law

私企業

private enterprise; privately-owned company

私擬-憲法

shigikenpō, more specifically the Japanese constitution created during 1880-1887

私義務

duty or obligation arising from private law

私議

secret criticism, badmouthing; personal or private opinion

私教類聚

shikyō-ruijū, Japan's oldest collection of moral instructions, written by Kibi Makibi in the 700s

私業

work done as an individual; work done for individual profit

私曲

unjust act committed solely to benefit oneself

私金

private money; money owned by an individual

私刑

punishment mete out by vigilante or mob justice

私経済

private economy: economic dealings between private individuals or companies

私計

one's own thought and opinion; one's own scheme or plan

私見

one's own personal opinion; shiken, humble word for

私語

whisper, whispering, private conversation

私交

personal or private friendship or socializing

私行

private actions in one's own life; secret act; going out for personal reasons; sneaking out

私稲

in the Nara and Heian periods, rice plants owned by an individual rather than by the state


父

The “father” and “uncle” affixes is from Middle Chinese 父 (MC bjuX).
The “old man” affix is from Middle Chinese 父 (MC pjuX).


父

From a corruption of Middle Chinese 父 (MC pjuX).


福

Short for 福岡 (Fukuoka, “Fukuoka (a province of Japan)”).


目

From Middle Chinese 目 (MC mjuwk). Compare modern Min Nan 目 (bo̍k).

真面目

real appearance or worth of something; serious

面目

one's honor, one's metaphorical face; external appearance


粒

粒 (canonical)
ryū (romanization)
rifu (romanization)
りふ (hiragana historical)


維

維 (canonical)
i (romanization)
wi (romanization)
ゐ (hiragana historical)

/wi/ → /i/
From Middle Chinese 維 (MC ywij).


紙

紙 (canonical)
shi (romanization)
si (romanization)
し (hiragana historical)

大手紙


聡

聡(そう) • (sō)


翳

From Middle Chinese 翳 (MC 'ejH).
The kan'on pronunciation, so likely a later borrowing.

shade; shadow (interchangeable with 影 (ei))


耀

耀 (canonical)
yō (romanization)
eu (romanization)
えう (hiragana historical)


石

Short for 石見国 (Iwami-no-kuni): Iwami Province


肖

肖(しょう) • (shō)


籠

籠(ろう) • (rō)

From Middle Chinese 籠 (MC luwng) and 籠 (MC luwngX).


胃

胃 (canonical)
i (romanization)
wi (romanization)
ゐ (hiragana historical)

/wi/ → /i/
From Middle Chinese 胃 (MC hjw+jH).


脳

脳 (canonical)
nō (romanization)
nau (romanization)
なう (hiragana historical)

/nau/ → /nɔː/ → /noː/
From Middle Chinese 腦 (MC nawX).


紫

/si/ → /ɕi/
From Middle Chinese 紫 (MC tsjeX).
Also used in the Man'yōshū (c. 759 CE) as 借音 (shakuon) kana for ⟨si⟩.


羊

羊(よう) • (yō)


翁

翁 (canonical)
ō (romanization)
wou (romanization)
をう (hiragana historical)

From Middle Chinese 翁 (MC 'uwng).
The kan'on pronunciation, so likely a later borrowing.


臥

臥 (canonical)
ga (romanization)
gwa (romanization)
ぐわ (hiragana historical)


羅

(US) Short for 羅府 (“Los Angeles (a city in California, United States)”).


膿

膿(のう) • (nō)


腰

腰 (canonical)
yō (romanization)
eu (romanization)
えう (hiragana historical)


肝

(figuratively) essential thing; important thing


而

Calque of Literary Chinese 而 (ér): and, then, thus


繁

繁 (canonical)
han (romanization)
はん (hiragana historical)

flourishing, luxuriant, heavy or dense (of foliage)


般

From Middle Chinese 般 (MC ban|pan|paen).


葡

ポルトガル ポルトガル#Japanese

Short for ポルトガル／葡萄牙 (“Portugal (a country in Europe)”).


艶

/jiem/ → /jemʉ/ → /emʉ/ → /eɴ/
From Middle Chinese 豔 (MC yemH).


萎

萎 (canonical)
i (romanization)
wi (romanization)
ゐ (hiragana historical)

/wi/ → /i/
From Middle Chinese 萎 (MC 'jwe).


翼

wing (of a bird, insect, aircraft, etc.)

(by extension) something overhanging both left and right, like a wing


生

生(しょう) • (shō)

From Middle Chinese 生 (MC sraeng|sraengH). The 呉音 (goon) reading, so likely the initial borrowing from Middle Chinese.


羽

(historical) Short for 出羽国 (Dewa-no-kuni): Dewa Province


菅

菅 (canonical)
kan (romanization)
kwan (romanization)
くわん (hiragana historical)

/kʷan/ → /kan/
From Middle Chinese 菅 (MC kaen).


苧

From Middle Chinese 薴 (MC nreang), but read with the on'yomi from 麻 (ma, “hemp”). Compare modern Mandarin 苧 (zhù), 麻 (má).

苧物

a rope or line made of hemp or ramie fiber


苧

From Middle Chinese 薴 (MC nreang). Compare modern Mandarin 苧 (zhù).


薩

薩 (canonical)
satsu (romanization)
satu (romanization)
さつ (hiragana historical)

Short for 薩摩 (Satsuma, “Satsuma (a former domain in Japan)”).


願

願 (canonical)
gan (romanization)
gwan (romanization)
ぐわん (hiragana historical)

/ɡʉan/ → /ɡʷaɴ/ → /ɡaɴ/
From Middle Chinese 願 (MC ngjwonH).


芝

From Middle Chinese 芝 (*chi). Compare modern Mandarin 芝 (zhī).

芝翫下駄: a type of geta sandal popular in the Edo period

芝翫縞

a particular stripe pattern for kimono, popular in the Edo period

芝翫茶

a color for dying cloth, a slightly reddish-purple shade of chestnut

芝仙延年: a theme for traditional painting in China

芝仙祝寿: a theme for traditional painting in China

芝眉: an honorific term for referring to someone else's face


聖

(Brazil) Short for 聖州 (“São Paulo (a state of Brazil)”). or Short for 聖市 (“São Paulo (a municipality, the state capital of São Paulo, Brazil)”).


蔭

The sense “shade” is from a Middle Chinese reading of 蔭 (ʔˠiɪmᴴ) which is reflected as modern Mandarin yīn. This reading is not recorded in Guangyun, but is found in Jiyun as the fanqie of 於 (MC 'jo|'u) and 金 (MC kim), and is the same as the original character 陰 (MC 'im) (“shade” and a few other meanings).
The senses “shelter” and “benefit from ancestors” are from Middle Chinese 蔭 (MC 'imH). Compare modern Mandarin yìn.
The kan'on pronunciation, so likely a later borrowing.

(historical) benefit (such as position, rank) from one's ancestor


蔭

From Middle Chinese 蔭 (MC 'imH).
The goon pronunciation, so likely the initial borrowing.


蘊

From Middle Chinese 蘊 (MC 'jun).
The Buddhist sense is a translation of Sanskrit स्कन्ध (skandha, “collection, grouping, heap”) or Pali khandha (“collection, heap”). See entry at 五蘊 (goun).


薬

From Old Japanese. Cognate with the kusu root of adjective 奇し (kusushi, “mystical”), from the way that drugs and medicines would have mystical effects.

drugs

may imply over a longer period of time; archaic

薬子

an unmarried young woman serving at the imperial court who tastes the ceremonial spiced sake at New Years

薬玉

an ornamental scented ball made of flowers or other aromatic, displayed in early May

薬殿

during the Heian period, the consultation office of the court physician

薬練, 薬煉, 天鼠矢

pine sap boiled in oil to make a strong resin used to reinforce bowstring and other things


蛍

From Middle Chinese 螢 (MC hweng, “firefly”).

used in various compounds to refer to fluorescence


蕃

蕃 (canonical)
ban (romanization)
ばん (hiragana historical)

(historical, Taiwan under Japanese rule, specifically) aboriginal


英

From Middle Chinese 英 (MC 'jaeng).
The kan'on pronunciation, so likely a later borrowing.

Short for 英吉利 (Igirisu, “United Kingdom”).

Short for 英語 (eigo, “English (language)”).


裔

裔 (canonical)
ei (romanization)
えい (hiragana historical)


藤

ja-pos

藤(とう) • (tō)


衛

衛 (canonical)
ei (romanization)
ゑい (hiragana historical)

From Middle Chinese 衛 (MC hjwejH).
The kan'on pronunciation, so likely a later borrowing.


衛

衛 (canonical)
e (romanization)
ゑ (hiragana historical)

From Middle Chinese 衛 (MC hjwejH).
The goon pronunciation, so likely the initial borrowing.


紅

紅(こう) • (kō)

Substitute character for 工: work done by women


詠

From Middle Chinese 詠 (MC hjwaengH).
The kan'on pronunciation, so likely a later borrowing.


謡

謡 (canonical)
yō (romanization)
eu (romanization)
えう (hiragana historical)


謁

From Middle Chinese 謁 (MC 'jot).
The kan'on pronunciation, so likely a later borrowing.


虹

虹(こう) • (kō)


蜜

/mitɨ/ → /mitʉ/ → /mit͡su/
From Middle Chinese 蜜 (MC mjit).

水密桃

large kind of peach originally from China, with soft, sweet, juicy flesh


記

⟨ki₂⟩ → */kɨ/ → /ki/
From Middle Chinese 記 (MC kiH).
In Old Japanese, this kanji was used as man'yōgana to transcribe /ki₂/.


花

花 (canonical)
ka (romanization)
kwa (romanization)
くわ (hiragana historical)

→ Amis: hana

→ Yami: hana

鏡花水月

metaphor for something that can be seen but not touched; flower in a mirror, moon in the water

石楠花

one of several species of rhododendron native to east Asia


貨

貨 (canonical)
ka (romanization)
kwa (romanization)
くわ (hiragana historical)


色

Chinese language
English language
Nihon Kokugo Daijiten
Nihon Shoki
Old Japanese language

⟨iro₂⟩ → */irə/ → /iro/
From Old Japanese.
First attested in the Nihon Shoki with the meaning of color. Senses referring to a person's emotions also appear quite early on. The romance or sex senses appear from the 900s, apparently an influence from Chinese usage, and roughly comparable to the euphemistic usage of English colorful.

relating to a love affair or the red light district


色

From Middle Chinese 色 (MC srik). The kan'on reading, so likely a later borrowing.

威嚇色

a threatening color or pattern on an animal

異色

of a different color; different from the norm

好色

lasciviousness, lechery; lascivious, lecherous

行色

the state of being about to depart; natural scenery


踊

踊(よう) • (yō)


起

to start; to begin; to cause; to bring about


迂

From Middle Chinese 迂 (MC hju|'ju|'juX).


遥

遥(よう) • (yō)


違

違 (canonical)
i (romanization)
wi (romanization)
ゐ (hiragana historical)

/wi/ → /i/
From Middle Chinese 違 (MC hjw+j).


越

越 (canonical)
etsu (romanization)
wetu (romanization)
ゑつ (hiragana historical)

exceed; surpass; transgress (limit, extent)


逆

逆方向


語

語釈

explanation or explication of a word, term, phrase, or clause

語勢

stress, tone, or emphasis; a manner of speaking

語弊

a misleading expression; a misunderstanding

Short for 物語 (monogatari): story, tale, narrative


軍

/kʲun/ → /ɡun/
From Middle Chinese 軍 (MC kjun).


衣

From Middle Chinese 衣 (MC 'j+j, “clothes, clothing”).
The kan'on reading, so likely a more recent borrowing.

garb, robe (as worn by a monk, nun, or priest)


逸

From Middle Chinese 逸 (MC yit).
The kan'on pronunciation, so likely a later borrowing.


遺

遺 (canonical)
i (romanization)
wi (romanization)
ゐ (hiragana historical)

/wi/ → /i/
From Middle Chinese 遺 (MC ywij).
The kan'on pronunciation, so likely a later borrowing.

leave behind after one's death, bequeath


遺

From Middle Chinese 遺 (MC ywij).
The goon pronunciation, so likely the initial borrowing.


鍛

(by extension) refining, disciplining (of the mind, body, etc.)


鋏

鋏 (canonical)
kyō (romanization)
kefu (romanization)
けふ (hiragana historical)

/kepu/ → /keɸu/ → /keu/ → /kjoː/
From Middle Chinese 鋏／铗 (kiɛp, “tongs, pincers”). Compare modern Cantonese reading gaap³.

鋏角

chelicera, the mouthpart of certain arthropods such as spider


錨

錨 (canonical)
byō (romanization)
beu (romanization)
べう (hiragana historical)

/beu/ → */bɨəː/ → /bjoː/
From Middle Chinese 錨 (MC *mˠiᴇu).


鑑

/kam/ → /kamʉ/ → /kaɴ/
From Middle Chinese 鑒 (MC kaemH).


鍼

/ɕim/ → /ɕimʉ/ → /ɕiɴ/
From Middle Chinese 鍼 (MC tsyim).


遠

遠 (canonical)
en (romanization)
wen (romanization)
ゑん (hiragana historical)

From Middle Chinese 遠 (MC hjwonX, “distant; remote; far”), corresponding to modern Mandarin yuǎn, Cantonese jyun⁵.
As a verb in Chinese compounds like 遠色 (enshoku, “keep aloof from beauty”, kun'yomi iro o tōzaku), from Middle Chinese 遠 (MC hjwonH, “keep at a distance; keep away from”), corresponding to Mandarin yuàn, Cantonese jyun⁶.
The kan'on pronunciation, so likely a later borrowing.

遠交近攻

遠交近攻 えんこうきんこう

Abbreviation of 遠江国 (Tōtōmi no kuni, “Tōtōmi Province”).


遠

遠 (canonical)
on (romanization)
をん (hiragana historical)

From Middle Chinese 遠 (MC hjwonX, “distant; remote; far”).
The goon pronunciation, so likely the initial borrowing.

distant; far; remote (in time, space, or relationship)


閲

From Middle Chinese 閱 (MC ywet).
The kan'on pronunciation, so likely a later borrowing.


関

関 (canonical)
kan (romanization)
kwan (romanization)
くわん (hiragana historical)


閾

閾 (canonical)
iki (romanization)
wiki (romanization)
ゐき (hiragana historical)

From Middle Chinese 閾 (MC xwik). Compare modern Cantonese 閾／阈 (wik⁶, /wɪk̚²/).
The goon pronunciation, so likely the initial borrowing.


針

/ɕim/ → /ɕimʉ/ → /ɕiɴ/
From Middle Chinese 針 (MC tsyim|tsyimH).

Alternative spelling of 鍼 (shin): acupuncture


阪

阪 (canonical)
han (romanization)
はん (hiragana historical)

阪神 (hanshin)

Short for 大阪 (Ōsaka, “Ōsaka (a city in Japan)”).


里

From Middle Chinese 里 (MC liX).
Compare modern Chinese 里 (lǐ).


野

Short for 下野国 (Shimotsuke no kuni): Shimotsuke Province


隕

隕 (canonical)
in (romanization)
ゐん (hiragana historical)


隠

From Middle Chinese 隱 (MC 'j+nX).
The kan'on pronunciation, so likely a later borrowing.

Short for 隠岐国 (Oki no kuni, “Oki Province”).


隠

From Middle Chinese 隱 (MC 'j+nX).
The goon pronunciation, so likely the initial borrowing.


隘

隘路

狭隘


鎖

From Middle Chinese 鎻 or 鎖 (MC swaX). Compare modern Mandarin 鎖／锁 (suǒ, “lock, padlock; shackles, chains”).
Only used in compounds in modern Japanese.


銀

Hokkien language
Middle Chinese language

From Middle Chinese 銀 (MC ngin). Compare modern Hokkien reading gîn.


頴

From Middle Chinese 穎 (MC ywengX).
The kan'on pronunciation, so likely a later borrowing.

outstanding; talented (interchangeable with 英 (ei))


院

院 (canonical)
in (romanization)
ゐん (hiragana historical)


陽

陽 (canonical)
yō (romanization)
yau (romanization)
やう (hiragana historical)


静

From Middle Chinese 靜 (MC dzjengX). The kan'on, so a later borrowing than the jō reading.
First attested as a standalone noun in a text from 1648.

静止

stillness; being still, calm, or motionless


静

ja-pos

静(じょう) • (jō)

/d͡ʑʲau/ → /d͡ʑɔː/ → /d͡ʑoː/
From Middle Chinese 靜 (MC dzjengX). The goon, so an earlier borrowing than the sei reading.
First attested as a standalone noun in a text from roughly 1216.


金

/kimʉ/ → /kiɴ/
From Middle Chinese 金 (kim). Compare modern Mandarin 金 (jīn).

国庫金

treasury funds; kokkokin, as of the central government

(by extension of “golden”) excellent, fine, splendid


金

/komʉ/ → /koɴ/
From Middle Chinese 金 (kim).

(by extension of “golden”) excellent, fine, superb


飄

飄 (canonical)
hyō (romanization)
feu (romanization)
へう (hiragana historical)

/peu/ → /ɸeu/ → /hjoː/
From Middle Chinese 飄 (MC phjiew).


韻

韻 (canonical)
in (romanization)
ゐん (hiragana historical)


阿

Used as a phonetic element, especially in words from Sanskrit.

Short for 阿波国 (Awa no kuni, “Awa Province”).


鏡

鏡 (canonical)
kyō (romanization)
kyau (romanization)
きやう (hiragana historical)

/kjau/ → /kjɔː/ → /kjoː/
From Middle Chinese 鏡 (MC kjaengH).


雛

雛(すう) • (sū)

From Middle Chinese. Most reconstructions of the original Middle Chinese reading start with an affricate, so this Japanese reading may have come from a dialect; compare Hakka reading ts'u¹.

臥竜鳳雛

臥竜鳳雛 がりょうほうすう

a diamond in the rough, an unnoticed greatness

伏竜鳳雛

伏竜鳳雛 ふくりょうほうすう

鳳雛

a very promising young man, a boy with very high prospect


陰

north side of mountain; south side of water


陶

陶 (canonical)
tō (romanization)
tau (romanization)
たう (hiragana historical)

/tau/ → /tɔː/ → /toː/
From Middle Chinese 陶 (MC daw).


養

養 (canonical)
yō (romanization)
yau (romanization)
やう (hiragana historical)


飲

From Middle Chinese 飲 (MC 'imX|'imH).
The kan'on pronunciation, so likely a later borrowing.


麑

(obsolete) Short for 鹿児島／麑島 (Kagoshima, “Kagoshima (a province of Japan)”).


騎

From Middle Chinese 騎 (MC gje|gjeH). Already used phonetically in Old Japanese to spell unvoiced ki, as in the place name 阿騎・安騎 (Aki, a former hunting ground in Nara).
Attested as a counter in the early 1200s, and as a standalone noun in the late 1800s.


露

From Middle Chinese 露 (MC luH).
; “Russia”
Short-form of ateji (当て字) spelling 露西亜.


飛

Short for 飛騨国 (Hida-no-kuni): Hida Province


鮮

鮮 (canonical)
sen (romanization)
せん (hiragana historical)

From Middle Chinese 鮮 (MC sjen|sjenX|sjenH).

全鮮

内鮮一体


雷

From Middle Chinese 雷 (MC lwoj).
Compare modern Mandarin 雷 (léi) and Cantonese 雷 (leoi⁴).


鳩

鳩 (canonical)
kyū (romanization)
kiu (romanization)
きう (hiragana historical)

/kiu/ → /kʲuː/
From Middle Chinese 鳩 (MC kjuw).

鳩居

pigeon in a magpie's nest; living in a rented house or apartment

鳩首

putting heads together, consulting in a group

(by extension) gather together (from the way that pigeons flock together)


黄

黄 (canonical)
kō (romanization)
kwau (romanization)
くわう (hiragana historical)

From Middle Chinese 黃 (MC hwang).
The kan'on pronunciation, so likely a later borrowing.


黄

黄 (canonical)
ō (romanization)
wau (romanization)
わう (hiragana historical)

From Middle Chinese 黃 (MC hwang).
The goon pronunciation, so likely the initial borrowing.


雲

(figuratively) high, tall, far-off, or distant

(historical) Short for 出雲国 (Izumo-no-kuni): Izumo Province


鼾

From Middle Chinese 鼾 (MC xan|hanH, “snoring”).
Only found in compounds. Not used in isolation.


鶴

From Middle Chinese 鶴 (MC hak).
Compare modern Mandarin 鶴／鹤 (hè).

crane (large bird of the family Gruidae)


風

Shift from Old Japanese 風 (ti), modern chi, found in some compounds.


風

風(ふう) • (fū)

/puː/ → /fuː/
From Middle Chinese 風 (MC pjuwng).
In Old Japanese, this kanji was used to transcribe the 借音 (shakuon) kana of ⟨pu⟩ and ⟨bu⟩ in the Nihon Shoki (720 CE).


音

From Middle Chinese 音 (MC 'im).
The kan'on pronunciation, so likely a later borrowing.

子音、母音

(uncommon) Alternative form of 音 (on)
sound

音信

(uncommon) Alternative form of 音 (on)
news; tidings; word


龍

龍(りゅう) • (ryū)


龍

龍(りょう) • (ryō)


でん

伝: legend, tradition, life, biography, comment, communication

電: lightning; electricity; telecommunication; telegram; electric multiple-unit train


ぼう

氓: (on'yomi, only used in compounds) people, subjects

防: (on'yomi, only used in compounds) prevent


らい

来: to come; (prefix) the coming, next; (suffix) since

磊: piles of rocks; open, honest, upright


ふう

封: to seal; to close; to lock up; to enfeoff

風: wind; custom; manner; flavor; appearance; style; scene; rumor; disease; Alternative form of 諷

Liquidambar formosana
Liquidambar formosana#Translingual

楓: maple; the Formosan sweetgum tree, Liquidambar formosana


たく

啄: (on'yomi, only used in compounds) to peck at something

琢: (on'yomi, only used in compounds) to polish

択: (on'yomi, only used in compounds) selection, choice

拓: (on'yomi, only used in compounds) opening, to open something up

濯: (on'yomi, only used in compounds) rinsing out, washing out

擢: (on'yomi, only used in compounds) to pick out

磔: (on'yomi, only used in compounds) a kind of capital punishment, generally crucifixion or quartering


むつ

mutsu (romanization)
mutu (romanization)
むつ (hiragana historical)


げい

芸: art; craft; technique; performance; Short for 安芸国 (Aki no kuni, “Aki Province”).

迎: to welcome; to greet; to meet; to pander


ざん

竄: to escape, to flee; to exile; to alter (text)

懺: to repent, to confess on account of repentance


ねい

寧: (on'yomi, only used in compounds) peaceful, gentle; rather


くち

The 連用形 (ren'yōkei, “continuative or stem form”) of 朽ちる (kuchiru, “to rot”).


もし

From Old Japanese; attested in the Man'yōshū of 759. In turn, reconstructed as deriving from Proto-Japonic *məsi.


花/derived terms

紫陽花

Hydrangea macrophylla, bigleaf hydrangea

鏡花水月

metaphor for something that can be seen but not touched; flower in a mirror, moon in the water

石楠花

one of several species of rhododendron native to east Asia

凌霄花

Campsis grandiflora, Chinese trumpet vine


シビル

Borrowed from English civil. Only found in compounds, not used in isolation.