欽
respect, revere, long for
Readings
On'yomi
- キン
- コン
Kun'yomi
- つつし.む
Nanori
- よし
- ひとし
Meaning
欽 centers on deep, heartfelt respect and reverence, often with a sense of looking up to or longing for something esteemed.
Most common words using 欽
- 欽定きんてい
authorized (by imperial or royal order); authorised; appointed; enacted; established
- 欽仰きんぎょう
reverence; adoration; veneration
- 欽定憲法きんていけんぽう
constitution granted by the Emperor
- 欽定英訳聖書きんていえいやくせいしょ
Authorized Version (of the Bible); AV
- 欽定訳聖書きんていやくせいしょ
King James Bible; King James Version; Authorized Version
- 欽慕きんぼ
adoration; reverence; admiration
Study
Etymology
欽 combines 金 (metal) and 欠 (open mouth, yawn). The historical origin is uncertain; it may have originally depicted a person gaping in awe before something precious or metallic, but this is speculative.
Meaning mnemonic
Picture a person (欠, like a kneeling figure with an open mouth) gazing up in awe at a shining golden (金) statue. The reverence and longing are so strong they can't look away.
Reading mnemonic
For キン, imagine the golden (金, キン) statue itself inspiring such deep respect: 金 -> キン, and the feeling of reverence is as solid and precious as gold.