楷
square character style, correctness
Readings
On'yomi
- カイ
Kun'yomi
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Meaning
楷 centers on a formal, upright standard: the square, regular style of writing Chinese characters, and by extension correctness or model behavior.
Most common words using 楷
- 楷書かいしょN1
printed style (of writing Chinese characters); square style; block style; standard style
- 楷かい
regular script (of Chinese characters); square style; block style; standard style
- 楷の木かいのき
Chinese pistache (Pistacia chinensis)
- 楷書体かいしょたい
square (block) style of printed typeface
- 楷行草かいぎょうそう
printed, semi-cursive, and cursive scripts
Study
Etymology
楷 combines 木 (tree) with 皆, which likely contributes the sound. The character originally referred to a type of tree (Chinese pistache) whose wood was used for making model calligraphy tablets, leading to the extended meaning of a standard or model style.
Meaning mnemonic
A wooden 木 model 皆 used as a standard for correct writing: 楷 is the square, regular style that sets the standard for correctness.
Reading mnemonic
For カイ, imagine a calligrapher named Kai who always writes in perfect square style: Kai -> カイ, and his work is the model of correctness.