系
lineage, system
Readings
On'yomi
- ケイ
Kun'yomi
—
Meaning
系 centers on connected lines of descent or organization: a lineage, family line, or a structured system of related parts.
Most common words using 系
20 of 370- 系けいN1
system; lineage; group
- 系列けいれつN1
series; sequence; system; succession
- 系統けいとうN2
system
- 体系たいけいN2
system; organization; organisation; architecture
- 理系りけいN3
the sciences; STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics)
- 家系かけいN1
family lineage
- 日系にっけい
(of) Japanese descent
- 文系ぶんけいN2
humanities, social sciences, and fine arts; liberal arts
- 太陽系たいようけい
solar system
- 系譜けいふ
genealogy; lineage; family tree; pedigree
- 銀河系ぎんがけい
Milky Way galaxy; Milky Way; the Galaxy
- 直系ちょっけい
direct descent; direct line
- 水系すいけい
water system; river system; drainage system
- 女系じょけい
female line; matrilinear
- 同系どうけい
affiliated; akin
- 系図けいず
family tree; pedigree; genealogy
- 男系だんけい
male lineage
- 山系さんけい
mountain range; mountain system
- 大系たいけい
outline; survey; compendium
- 父系ふけい
paternal line; father's side of the family
Study
Etymology
系 combines a top stroke 丿 with 糸 (thread), suggesting a thread that connects or ties together, extended to lineage and systems.
Meaning mnemonic
The top stroke 丿 is like a hook or knot, and 糸 is thread. Picture a thread hanging down from a knot, linking generations in a family line or connecting parts of a system.
Reading mnemonic
For ケイ, imagine a long family line stretching like a cable: cable -> ケイ, and the thread of lineage keeps everyone connected.