斤
loaf (of bread), unit of weight (600 grams), ax; "ax" radical
Kanji 1176
Thank you for visiting this Character Home Page. Below you'll find a synopsis of the essay. If you wish to read the full text, the PDF of the essay is available for purchase to the right.
The kanji 斤 originally meant “ax” and now means “loaf (of bread).” En route from one definition to another, it acquired yet another meaning: 600 grams. Find out how the Japanese came to associate one kanji with such disparate things! Also learn about 斤 as a radical and as a very common component.
Revision note:
Aug. 11, 2023: p. 4: Revised three bits of vocab. under the first sample sentence.
Jan. 15, 2020: Updated more definitions of kanji containing the 斤 component. Now all such definitions are finalized.
Jan. 6, 2020: Improved formatting and made small revisions throughout. These changes are of note:
- p. 2: Etymology Box: Replaced the old Henshall etymology with the new one and added a second Sears image to illustrate the discussion.
- p. 4: Added a link to the Kanshudo games.
- p. 6: Slightly changed the def of いただく.
- p. 6: Updated the definitions and Henshall etymologies of four kanji.
Sept. 14, 2012: Added 2 photos on page 7.
Feb. 23, 2012: Deleted a sentence in the Verbal Logic Quiz instructions, as it confused matters.
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