排

to exclude, expel, reject; anti-; discharge, exhaust, drain; excrete

Kanji 1686

Words with 排 run the gamut from xenophobic policies to culverts that drain water. To make sense of this range, simply perceive 排 as “pushing out what’s bad or unnecessary.” When cars spew exhaust and people scurry to toilets, 排 drives this outward flow. With 排, you can also say that you're overcoming difficulties, doing away with old rules, or doing something at all costs.

Revision history:

Feb. 7, 2020:

• pp. 1 and 4: In 外国人排斥 (xenophobic actions or policies; exclusion of foreigners), there should be no parentheses around “of foreigners,” so I deleted them.

Jan. 15, 2020:

• p. 1: Changed the breakdown of 排尿 to "to excrete + urine."
• p. 2: Etymology Box: Replaced the old Henshall etymology with the new one.
• p. 13: Added a link to the Kanshudo games.

May 10, 2013: Originally published.