挨
to come very close
Kanji 1496
to come very close
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.
Synopsis
Manners are paramount in Japan, and 挨 has to do with the right words said at the right time (though it originally represented rude behavior!). See how 挨 relates to greeting and parting from others, apologies, expressions of sympathy, speeches, the yakuza, visiting relatives, Zen dialogues, writing letters, and more. Also learn why you might give toilet paper as a gift!
Revision history:
Feb. 15, 2022:
- p. 2, Etymology Box: Added the Henshall etymology and Sears link. I then added to the adjacent main text that Henshall calls the use of 挨 in 挨拶 a loan usage that exists only in Japanese.
- p. 9: Added a link to the Kanshudo games.
Sept. 30, 2016: Originally published.
Comments