整
organize, arranging, tune, tone, meter, key (music)
Readings
On'yomi
- セイ
Kun'yomi
- ととの.える
- ととの.う
Nanori
- ひとし
Meaning
整 centers on bringing things into proper order: organizing, arranging, and adjusting until everything is in tune. The musical senses of meter, tone, and key are natural extensions of this idea of precise alignment.
Most common words using 整
20 of 233- 調整ちょうせいN3
adjustment; regulation; coordination; reconciliation; tuning; fixing; tailoring
- 整備せいびN2
maintenance; servicing
- 整理せいりN4
sorting; arrangement; organization; putting in order; adjustment; regulation
- 整形せいけい
orthopedics; plastic surgery; cosmetic surgery
- 整えるととのえるN2
to put in order; to arrange; to tidy up; to fix; to straighten
- 整うととのうN2
to be ready; to be prepared; to be arranged
- 整体せいたい
seitai; manipulative therapy based on Chinese and Japanese traditions, and encompassing osteopathy, massage and chiropractic
- 整合せいごう
adjustment; coordination; integration; conformity
- 整列せいれつN1
standing in a row; forming a line; alignment
- 整数せいすうN2
integer
- 整頓せいとんN1
orderliness; put in order; tidying up; arranging neatly
- 整骨せいこつ
bonesetting
- 不整脈ふせいみゃく
arrhythmia; abnormal heartbeat
- 整地せいち
levelling of ground (for construction)
- 整復せいふく
reposition
- 整然せいぜんN1
orderly; regular; systematic; well-organized; well-organised; trim; tidy; accurate
- 均整きんせいN1
symmetry; balance; proportion; uniformity
- 整流せいりゅう
rectification; commutation
- 整髪せいはつ
hairdressing
- 修整しゅうせい
adjustment; retouching (in photography)
Study
Etymology
整 combines 敕 (a compound of 束 and 攵, suggesting binding or ordering) with 正 (correct, straight). Together they express the idea of putting things in correct order.
Meaning mnemonic
The top part 敕 looks like a bundle being tied with a hand, and the bottom 正 means correct. Picture someone binding loose items together and straightening them until everything is perfectly organized.
Reading mnemonic
For セイ, imagine a conductor saying 'say' to cue the orchestra to start playing in perfect tune: 'say' -> セイ, and the music becomes orderly and metered.