The kanji (漢字, kanji) characters in the Japanese language are known for their rich shapes and meanings. In our everyday use, we sometimes overlook the background and details of these characters. This time, we will focus on the kanji “搬” (はん, han), which we often see in daily life but rarely consider its origin and meaning in depth, and explore its charm.
Origin of 搬 (はん, han)
The kanji “搬” (はん, han) is a character that originated in ancient China. Its formation combines the radical for “hand” (手, te) with the character for “boat” (舟, shuu). The “舟” (shuu) means boat, and the act of moving a boat with hands led to the meaning of transporting things. Thus, “搬” (はん, han) came to be used as a kanji representing the movement of objects.
Meaning and Usage of 搬 (はん, han)
The kanji “搬” (はん, han) has the basic meanings of “carry” and “transfer.” Specifically, it refers to the act of physically moving objects from one place to another. In Japanese, it is often used in terms like “搬入” (はんにゅう, hannyuu) and “搬出” (はんしゅつ, hanshutsu), which refer to carrying goods or items in and out, respectively.
Reading, Stroke Count, and Radical of 搬 (はん, han)
How is the kanji “搬” (はん, han) read and what are its characteristics in Japanese?
- Reading: The on’yomi (音読み, on’yomi) is “ハン” (はん, han), and there is no specific kun’yomi (訓読み, kun’yomi).
- Stroke count: It has a total of 13 strokes.
- Radical: The radical is 手 (て, te), meaning hand.
Idioms, Phrases, and Proverbs Using 搬 (はん, han) and Their Meanings
There are many idioms and phrases that include “搬” (はん, han) to describe actions. For example, “搬送” (はんそう, hansou) means transporting patients or cargo and is commonly used in logistics and medical fields. “搬出” (はんしゅつ, hanshutsu) means taking items out, and “搬入” (はんにゅう, hannyuu) means bringing items in, often used in event setups. These idioms are frequently used expressions in daily life and business scenes.
Summary of 搬 (はん, han)
The kanji “搬” (はん, han) represents the simple yet important concept of moving objects. By looking at its origin and modern usage, we can glimpse the role of kanji in the Japanese language. With the development of logistics, “搬” (はん, han) has become an indispensable kanji in our lives. Understanding such backgrounds can deepen our understanding of language and allow us to enjoy richer Japanese expressions.
