矛
long-handled Chinese spear; halberd; "spear" radical
Kanji 1843
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.
This essay will teach you how to talk about inconsistencies, contradictions, and conflicts. You'll also find out why there's a spear through the heart of these problems. The 矛 shape serves as the "spear" radical, appearing in such unlikely places as characters for "gentleness" and "fog," and the essay explains why. Moreover, it provides a useful mnemonic to help you distinguish 矛 from the look-alike 予 (403: in advance).
Revision history:
Apr. 8, 2023: p. 2: Shortened the first sample sentence to make it more natural.
Apr. 1, 2022: p. 7: Deleted a broken link and the surrounding text.
May 28, 2021:
- p. 2: Updated the Henshall etymology.
- p. 7 sidebar: Completely rewrote the text to reflect updated Henshall etymologies for three kanji.
- p. 7: Added a link to the Kanshudo games.
- p. 8: Removed text from the very end of the essay to accompany the removal of a broken link.
July 17, 2015: Added "'spear' radical" as a definition in the Character Profile on p. 1.
Mar. 23, 2012: Originally published.
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