参
nonplussed, three (in documents), going, coming, visiting, visit, be defeated, die, be madly in love, participate, take part in
Readings
On'yomi
- サン
- シン
Kun'yomi
- まい.る
- まい-
- まじわる
- みつ
Nanori
- み
Meaning
参 centers on joining or entering a situation: participating, visiting, or coming/going to a place. The sense of 'three' is a formal numeral used in documents, and 'nonplussed' or 'be defeated' are extensions of being overwhelmed by involvement.
Most common words using 参
24 of 297- 参加さんかN4
participation; joining; entry
- 参考さんこうN3
reference; consultation
- 参戦さんせん
participation in a war; going to war
- 参照さんしょうN1
reference (e.g. to a dictionary, passage, footnotes); consultation; comparison
- 参入さんにゅう
entering (the marketplace); introducing (something) to the market; access
- 参拝さんぱい
going and worshipping (at a shrine or temple); visit (to a shrine or temple to worship)
- 参議院さんぎいんN1
House of Councillors (upper house of the National Diet of Japan)
- 持参じさんN2
bringing; taking; carrying
- 参院さんいん
House of Councillors (upper house of the National Diet of Japan)
- 人参にんじんN1
carrot (Daucus carota)
- 参るまいるN4
to go; to come; to call
- 参画さんかく
taking part (in planning); participation
- 参列さんれつ
attendance; participation; presence
- 参謀さんぼう
staff officer; military staff
- 古参こさん
senior; veteran; old-timer
- 墓参りはかまいりN2
visit to a grave
- 参道さんどう
road approaching a shrine
- 参観さんかん
visit; inspection
- お参りおまいりN2
visit (to a shrine, grave, etc.); worship
- 参与さんよ
participation; taking part
- 降参こうさんN1
surrender; submission; capitulation
- 参事さんじ
secretary; councillor; councilor
- 参事官さんじかん
councillor; councilor
- 参加者さんかしゃ
participant; entrant; player; competitor
Study
Etymology
参 is the modern simplified form of 參. The older form is thought to combine 晶 (stars) with 㐱 (a person with flowing hair), suggesting a person under the stars, possibly related to the idea of joining or participating in a celestial gathering. The modern form simplifies the upper part.
Meaning mnemonic
The top part looks like a person with a hat or a gathering shape, and the bottom 彡 suggests flowing movement. Picture someone arriving at a gathering, flowing in to participate.
Reading mnemonic
For サン, imagine participating in a sand castle contest: sand -> サン, and you join in the building.