環
ring, circle, loop
Readings
On'yomi
- カン
Kun'yomi
- わ
Nanori
- たま
- たまき
Meaning
環 centers on a closed circular shape: a ring, circle, or loop. It describes anything that curves around and connects back to itself.
Most common words using 環
20 of 344- 環境かんきょうN3
environment; surroundings; circumstances
- 環かん
ring; band; rim
- 循環じゅんかんN2
circulation; rotation; cycle; loop
- 一環いっかん
link (e.g. in a chain of events); part (of a plan, campaign, activities, etc.)
- 環境省かんきょうしょう
Ministry of the Environment
- 環状かんじょう
annulation; ring shape; loop shape
- 悪循環あくじゅんかんN1
vicious circle; vicious cycle
- 環太平洋かんたいへいよう
Pacific Rim
- 住環境じゅうかんきょう
living environment; habitat
- 環礁かんしょう
atoll; circular coral reef
- 金環きんかん
gold ring
- 環視かんし
looking around; looking about
- 環境庁かんきょうちょう
Environment Agency
- 連環れんかん
links; chain; shackle; linking
- 循環器じゅんかんき
circulatory organ
- 環境保護かんきょうほごN2
environmental protection
- 自然環境しぜんかんきょうN2
natural environment; (the) environment
- 作業環境さぎょうかんきょう
work environment
- 推奨環境すいしょうかんきょう
system requirements (i.e. recommended hardware and software to run a package)
- 環境問題かんきょうもんだい
environmental problem; environmental issue
Study
Etymology
環 combines 王 (jewel) with 睘, which likely contributes the sound and the idea of something round. The character originally referred to a jade ring or circular ornament.
Meaning mnemonic
The left side 王 (jewel) suggests a precious object, and the right side 睘 looks like a round shape with a hole. Picture a jade ring worn as a circle: 環 is a ring or loop.
Reading mnemonic
For カン, imagine a can rolling in a perfect circle: can -> カン, and the can's rim is a metal ring.