端
edge, origin, end, point, border, verge, cape
Readings
On'yomi
- タン
Kun'yomi
- はし
- は
- はた
- -ばた
- はな
Nanori
- ただし
- みず
Meaning
端 centers on the idea of a boundary or extremity: the edge of something, a starting point or origin, an end, or a projecting point like a cape. It captures both the physical verge and the conceptual limit.
Most common words using 端
20 of 301- 端末たんまつN1
terminal; computer terminal
- 端はしN2
end (e.g. of street); tip; point; edge; margin
- 半端はんぱN1
remnant; fragment; incomplete set; incompleteness
- 極端きょくたんN1
extreme; extremity
- 途端とたんN3
just (now, at the moment, etc.); just as; in the act of; as soon as; at the moment that
- 先端せんたんN2
pointed end; tip; point; cusp (of a leaf, crescent moon, etc.); apex (of a curve)
- 中途半端ちゅうとはんぱN2
halfway; half measures; unfinished; incomplete; by halves; half-baked; half-cocked; half-hearted; half-arsed; half-assed
- 最先端さいせんたんN1
cutting edge; leading edge; forefront; state of the art
- 異端いたんN1
heresy; nonconformism; heathenism; paganism
- 端子たんし
terminal
- 発端ほったんN1
origin; genesis; opening; start; beginning
- 末端まったんN1
end; tip; extremities; terminal
- 道端みちばたN1
roadside; wayside
- 片っ端かたっぱし
one edge; one end; one side
- 一端いったん
one end; an end
- 端っこはしっこ
end; edge; tip
- 端的たんてきN1
frank; direct; plain; straightforward; point-blank; concise
- 両端りょうたんN1
both ends; either end; both edges
- 川端かわばた
riverside; riverbank
- 万端ばんたん
all; everything
Study
Etymology
端 combines 立 (stand) with 耑, which is thought to represent a sprout or tip, together suggesting the extreme point or edge of something. The exact historical development of 耑 is uncertain.
Meaning mnemonic
The left side 立 (stand) and the right side 耑 (which looks like a mountain 山 with a sprout 而 on top) together suggest standing at the very edge of a cliff: the extreme point or border.
Reading mnemonic
For タン, imagine standing at the edge of a tan-colored desert: tan -> タン, and you are at the very border of the sands.