The Kanji ‘瞬’ (シュン): Origins, Meaning, and Usage

Japanese Kanji

In the Japanese language, the kanji “瞬(しゅん, shun)” beautifully captures the essence of fleeting moments. This single character holds significant power, deeply rooted in Japanese sensibility and culture. In this article, we will focus on “瞬(しゅん, shun)”, exploring its origin, meaning, usage, and even idioms and phrases associated with it, uncovering its charm.

瞬の成り立ち(語源)

The kanji “瞬(しゅん, shun)” has long been associated with the eyes. Its formation combines the radical “目(め, me)” meaning “eye” with “舜(しゅん, shun)”, which represents the speed of a blink. “舜(しゅん, shun)” originally depicted fast-moving feet, combining “辰(しん, shin)” which indicates quickness, and “疾(しつ, shitsu)” which further emphasizes speed, symbolizing instantaneous motion.

瞬の意味と用法

“瞬(しゅん, shun)” refers to a very short period of time, as brief as the blink of an eye, signifying “a moment”. Metaphorically, it is used in expressions like “瞬く間に(またたくまに, matataku ma ni)” meaning “in the blink of an eye” or “一瞬の輝き(いっしゅんのかがやき, isshun no kagayaki)” meaning “a fleeting sparkle”. This kanji is widely used in everyday conversation, literary works, and even in the business world.

瞬の読み方・画数・部首

Understanding the readings and components of “瞬(しゅん, shun)” allows for a deeper grasp of its meaning.

  • 読み方: 音読みでは「シュン(しゅん, shun)」、訓読みでは「またた・く(またたく, matataku)」
  • 画数: 全18画
  • 部首: 目(め, me, もくずくり, mokuzukuri)

瞬を使った熟語・慣用句・ことわざとその意味

Here are some idioms and phrases that include “瞬(しゅん, shun)”:

  • 瞬時(しゅんじ, shunji): A brief moment; an extremely short period.
  • 瞬間(しゅんかん, shunkan): An instant; a very short time.
  • 瞬く間に(またたくまに, matataku ma ni): In the blink of an eye.

All these expressions are used to convey brevity or speed.

瞬についてのまとめ

The kanji “瞬(しゅん, shun)” skillfully represents instantaneous motion or time. In Japanese, this character is used to express fleeting events and transitions of emotions, enriching the depth of the language. When you come across “瞬(しゅん, shun)” in text, take a moment to appreciate the value and beauty of the fleeting moment it captures.

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