1. Overview of Meaning
The kanji 簡 (かん, kan) means “simple,” “brief,” or “easy.” It often carries the nuance of being uncomplicated, concise, or efficient.
2. Origin and Radical
・Origin of the Kanji
簡 is a phonosemantic compound character (形声文字). It is composed of:
- ⺮ (bamboo radical) – Suggesting a relation to bamboo slips, which were used for writing in ancient times.
- 間 (phonetic component) – Provides the pronunciation and also carries the meaning of “space” or “interval.”
Together, it originally referred to simple or brief written messages on bamboo slips.
・Radical
The radical is ⺮ (bamboo), which often appears in kanji related to writing or tools made of bamboo, such as 筆 (brush) and 箱 (box).
3. Usage Examples
・Common Words & Phrases
- 簡単 (かんたん, kantan) – Simple, easy
- 簡略 (かんりゃく, kanryaku) – Simplified, abbreviated
- 書簡 (しょかん, shokan) – Letter, correspondence
・Example Sentence
このテストはとても簡単でした。
(*Kono tesuto wa totemo kantan deshita.*)
→ This test was very easy.
4. Synonyms & Antonyms
・Similar Kanji
- 易 (い, i / やさしい, yasashii) – Also means “easy,” but focuses more on being gentle or not difficult to deal with.
- 略 (りゃく, ryaku) – Means “abbreviation” or “omission”; related in the sense of simplifying something.
・Opposite Kanji
- 複 (ふく, fuku) – Used in words like 複雑 (complex), the direct opposite of “simple.”
- 難 (なん / むずかしい, muzukashii) – Means “difficult,” and often used in contrast with 簡単.
5. Cultural & Historical Background
・Connection to Japanese Culture
In traditional Japanese writing, 簡 was associated with short letters or messages written on bamboo or paper. Today, it is widely used in daily life to describe things that are easy or straightforward.
・Proverbs & Idioms
- 簡にして要を得る (かんにしてようをえる)
(*Kan ni shite yō o eru*)
– “To be concise yet essential.”
This means expressing important points simply and effectively — a valued skill in Japanese communication.