恬
composure
Readings
On'yomi
- テン
Kun'yomi
- やすら.く
- やす.い
Meaning
恬 centers on a calm, untroubled state of mind: composure, serenity, and inner peace.
Most common words using 恬
- 恬てん
cool; indifferent; nonchalant; calm
- 恬としててんとして
coolly; indifferently; nonchalantly; calmly
- 恬淡てんたん
disinterested; unselfish; indifferent; detached
- 恬淡虚無てんたんきょむ
rising above the trivia of life and remaining calm and selfless
- 恬然てんぜん
cool; indifferent; nonchalant; calm
- 無欲恬淡むよくてんたん
indifferent to worldly gain
- 虚無恬淡きょむてんたん
rising above the trivia of life and remaining calm and selfless
Study
Etymology
恬 combines 忄 (heart/mind) with 舌 (tongue), likely suggesting a quiet tongue and a calm heart. The exact historical development is uncertain.
Meaning mnemonic
The heart radical 忄 beside the tongue 舌 suggests a mind so calm that even the tongue is still. Picture a serene person whose heart and tongue are both at rest.
Reading mnemonic
For テン, imagine a calm person sitting under a tent, completely composed: tent -> テン, and the peaceful scene matches the kanji's meaning.