Kanji deeply rooted in Japanese culture transcend being mere characters. Each character has a history, and its form and meaning significantly influence Japanese life and spirit. “健” (けん, ken) is one of these essential kanji, used in words like “健康” (けんこう, kenkou – health) and “健全” (けんぜん, kenzen – soundness). This article delves into the origins, meanings, usage, readings, and idioms related to “健” to explore its rich world.
Origins of 健
The kanji “健” (けん, ken) originated in ancient China. Its form symbolizes “a person standing firmly.” The left side, “亻” (にんべん, ninben), means “person,” and the right side, “建” (たつ, tatsu), means “to stand.” Thus, “健” originally depicted “a person standing firmly,” and evolved to mean “strong” or “robust.”
Meanings and Usage of 健
The kanji “健” (けん, ken) means “strong,” “robust,” or “healthy.” It is often used to describe a good physical or mental state. For example, “健康” (けんこう, kenkou) refers to a state of being physically and mentally active without issues, and “健全” (けんぜん, kenzen) indicates something being correct and well-balanced.
Readings, Stroke Count, and Radical of 健
Let’s look into the readings and structure of the kanji “健” (けん, ken).
- Readings: On’yomi – けん (ken); Kun’yomi – すこやか (sukoyaka)
- Stroke count: 11 strokes
- Radical: 亻 (ひとえ, hitoe) – person radical
Idioms, Proverbs, and Phrases Using 健
There are many idioms, proverbs, and phrases in Japanese that include “健” (けん, ken). Here are some examples:
- 健康 (けんこう, kenkou): A state of being physically and mentally active without issues.
- 健全 (けんぜん, kenzen): A state of being correct and well-balanced.
- 健忘 (けんぼう, kenbou): Being forgetful or having a tendency to forget things.
- 健勝 (けんしょう, kenshou): Being healthy and continuing to win; robust and lively.
- 健脚 (けんきゃく, kenkaku): Being good at walking and capable of walking long distances.
These expressions, commonly used in daily life, strongly reflect the image of “strength” and “robustness” that “健” (けん, ken) conveys.
Conclusion About 健
The kanji “健” (けん, ken) is crucial in expressing our physical and mental states. Understanding its origins and meanings helps us grasp the fundamental value of words like “健康” (けんこう, kenkou) and “健全” (けんぜん, kenzen). Being mindful of “健” in daily life can enrich your life and help maintain a healthy state.
