哲
philosophy, clear
Readings
On'yomi
- テツ
Kun'yomi
- さとい
- あきらか
Nanori
- あき
- あきら
- さと
- さとし
- さとる
- てっ
- てつん
- のり
- よし
Meaning
哲 centers on deep understanding and clarity of thought: philosophy, wisdom, and seeing things clearly.
Most common words using 哲
20 of 73- 哲学てつがくN3
philosophy
- 哲てつ
sage; wise man; philosopher; disciple
- 哲人てつじん
wise man; philosopher; sage
- 変哲へんてつ
something unusual; something odd; something out of the ordinary
- 哲学的てつがくてき
philosophical
- インド哲学インドてつがく
Indian philosophy
- カント哲学カントてつがく
Kantianism; Kantian philosophy
- ギリシャ哲学ギリシャてつがく
Greek philosophy
- スコラ哲学スコラてつがく
scholasticism
- ストア哲学ストアてつがく
Stoic philosophy
- 中哲ちゅうてつ
Chinese philosophy
- 中国哲学ちゅうごくてつがく
Chinese philosophy
- 人生哲学じんせいてつがく
philosophy of life
- 何の変哲もないなんのへんてつもない
completely ordinary; plain; commonplace; everyday
- 価値哲学かちてつがく
philosophy of value
- 先哲せんてつ
ancient wise men
- 先哲像伝せんてつぞうでん
Pictures of Ancient Wise Men
- 先験哲学せんけんてつがく
transcendental philosophy
- 公共哲学こうきょうてつがく
public philosophy
- 六派哲学ろっぱてつがく
six schools of classical Indian philosophy
Study
Etymology
哲 combines 折 (break, fold) and 口 (mouth), suggesting clear, incisive speech or breaking down ideas with words. The exact historical development is uncertain, but the character is associated with wisdom and clarity.
Meaning mnemonic
The top 折 looks like an axe 斤 beside a hand 扌, breaking things apart. The bottom 口 is a mouth. Together, a sharp mind breaks ideas into clear words: philosophy and clarity.
Reading mnemonic
For テツ, imagine a philosopher named Tetsu who always speaks clearly: Tetsu -> テツ, and his words break down complex ideas.