Meaning & readings

simple, one, single, merely

On’yomi タン
Kun’yomi ひとえ

Origin

This character combines a roof or covering on top with a box or container below, creating the idea of something enclosed or unified as one unit. The roof represents a single protective layer, while the box suggests a contained space, together conveying the sense of something simple and singular rather than complex or multiple. Over time, this visual idea of oneness and simplicity became the character's primary meaning. The character essentially pictures a single, undivided space beneath one roof.

AI-generated (claude-haiku-4-5), not yet reviewed. Formation type (automated guess): Compound ideographic (combined meanings).

9 strokes

Components

  • meaning part top
  • meaning part bottom

Common words

  • 簡単 かんたん simple; easy
  • 単に たんに simply; merely
  • 単位 たんい unit (e.g. meters, grams, etc.); denomination
  • 単一 たんいつ single; simple
  • 単価 たんか unit price; unit cost
  • 単語 たんご word; vocabulary
  • 単純 たんじゅん simple; plain
  • 単身 たんしん alone; by oneself

Reference

Strokes
9
Kangxi radical
24
Grade
Grade 4 (Kyōiku)
Frequency rank
#586 (newspapers)
Former JLPT
level 2
Unicode
U+05358