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Kotomora

鑑

specimen, take warning from, learn from

JLPTN1StatusJōyō · secondary schoolFrequencyTop 2,000Strokes23

Readings

On'yomi

  • カン

Kun'yomi

  • かんが.みる
  • かがみ

Nanori

  • あき
  • あきら

Meaning

鑑 centers on examining something closely as a model or lesson: a specimen to study, a warning to learn from, or a mirror to reflect on.

Most common words using 鑑

20 of 66
  • 鑑賞かんしょう
    N2

    appreciation (of art, music, poetry, etc.)

  • 鑑定かんてい
    N1

    judgement; judgment; expert opinion; appraisal

  • 図鑑ずかん
    N2

    pictorial book; picture book; illustrated reference book; identification manual; field guide

  • 鑑かがみ

    model; pattern; paragon; exemplar

  • 鑑みるかんがみる

    to take into account; to bear in mind; to consider; to learn from; to take as a lesson

  • 印鑑いんかん
    N2

    stamp; seal

  • 鑑識かんしき

    judgement; judgment; discernment; discrimination; having an eye for

  • 鑑別かんべつ

    discrimination; judgement; judgment; separation; sorting

  • 名鑑めいかん

    directory; list

  • 年鑑ねんかん
    N1

    yearbook; almanac; annual

  • 鑑札かんさつ

    licence; license; permit

  • 精神鑑定せいしんかんてい

    psychiatric examination

  • DNA型鑑定ディーエヌエーがたかんてい

    DNA test

  • DNA鑑定ディーエヌエーかんてい

    DNA test

  • ひな鑑別師ひなかんべつし

    chicken sexer

  • ひよこ鑑定士ひよこかんていし

    chicken sexer

  • 不動産鑑定ふどうさんかんてい

    real estate appraisal

  • 亀鑑きかん

    pattern; example; model; paragon; mirror

  • 二枚鑑札にまいかんさつ

    holding two positions at once (esp. of rikishi or judges who are also coaches)

  • 再鑑さいかん

    second examination; double checking

Explore all words using 鑑 →

Study

Etymology

鑑 combines 金 (metal) with 監, which likely contributes both sound and the idea of looking or reflecting. The character originally referred to a metal mirror used for self-examination, extending to the broader sense of learning from observation.

Meaning mnemonic

A metal (金) mirror (監) lets you see yourself clearly. Use it to examine specimens, learn from warnings, and reflect on your actions.

Reading mnemonic

For カン, picture a can made of polished metal that acts as a mirror: can -> カン, and you look into the can to see your reflection and learn from it.