列
file, row, rank, tier, column
Readings
On'yomi
- レツ
- レ
Kun'yomi
—
Nanori
- れっ
Meaning
列 centers on things arranged in a line: a file, row, rank, tier, or column. All meanings share the idea of orderly linear placement.
Most common words using 列
23 of 327- 列れつN3
row; line; file; column; queue; rank; procession
- 列車れっしゃN3
train; railway train
- 系列けいれつN1
series; sequence; system; succession
- 行列ぎょうれつN3
line; queue; procession; parade
- 配列はいれつN1
arranging; ordering; sequencing; lining up; laying out
- 列島れっとうN2
archipelago; chain of islands
- 参列さんれつ
attendance; participation; presence
- 並列へいれつN1
arranging in a line; standing in a row
- 陳列ちんれつN1
exhibition; display; putting on show
- 序列じょれつ
rank; ranking order; hierarchy
- 列挙れっきょ
enumeration; list
- 整列せいれつN1
standing in a row; forming a line; alignment
- 直列ちょくれつN1
series (e.g. electrical)
- 羅列られつ
enumeration; citation; listing
- 同列どうれつN1
same row; same line; same file
- 後列こうれつ
back row; rear rank
- 年功序列ねんこうじょれつ
seniority by length of service
- 戦列せんれつ
line of battle
- 葬列そうれつ
funeral procession
- 最前列さいぜんれつN2
front row
- 千島列島ちしまれっとう
Kurile Islands
- 長蛇の列ちょうだのれつ
long line; long queue
- 列国れっこく
nations; states
Study
Etymology
列 combines 歹 (originally a pictograph of bone or death) with 刂 (knife), but the historical connection to 'row' or 'file' is not straightforward. The character likely developed from an older form meaning 'to arrange' or 'to line up', with the components possibly contributing phonetic or semantic hints that are now obscure.
Meaning mnemonic
The left side 歹 looks like a row of bones, and the right side 刂 is a knife. Imagine arranging bones in a neat row with a knife to make a file or column.
Reading mnemonic
For レツ, picture a row of soldiers standing at attention, and their commander shouts 'Let's!' (レツ) to start marching in a column.