Used to refer to the start or source of something. Often appears in compound words like 発端 (origin, beginning).
The origin of the incident was a small misunderstanding.
unit of fabric width (28.8 cm); fabric length measure
Traditional measure for kimono fabric. One 端 is 28.8 cm wide; length varies by garment: at least 10 m for kimono, 7.27 m for haori, 6.06 m for other clothes.
See also: 反 (たん)
Suffix used in compounds to indicate the tip or end of something, such as 指端 (fingertip) or 舌端 (tip of the tongue). Not used as a standalone word in this sense.
This roll of cloth is about one shaku (approx. 37.9 cm) wide per 端.
The 端 in 指端 means the tip or extremity.
terminal; computer terminal · information access device; smart device · end; tip
extreme; extremity
just as; the moment; as soon as
tip; point; pointed end · forefront; leading edge; vanguard
heresy; heterodoxy; nonconformity
terminal; connection point · pin; lead · port; connector
origin; beginning; start
end; tip; terminal · rank and file; lower levels of an organization
one end; an end · part; fragment
frank; direct; straightforward; concise
both ends; either end; both edges · double-mindedness; sitting on the fence
all; everything; every aspect
elegant; graceful; handsome; beautiful
southern tip; southern end; southernmost part
handsome; clean-cut; well-proportioned · decent; proper; upright
northern extremity; northernmost point
terminal; end point; terminus
start; beginning; clue; first step
western edge; west side
east end; eastern tip
just as; right after; as soon as; at that moment
upper end; top; tip; top edge
lower end; bottom edge
tip of a cape; point of a headland
rear end; tail end; back end
front end; forward end
beginning of a dispute; outbreak of a conflict
other end; other edge
twilled fabric
hostilities; outbreak of war
Standard kanji spelling for all senses.
The kanji 端 originally depicts a sprout emerging from the ground, symbolizing a beginning or tip. The reading たん is the on'yomi. The fabric measure sense is a specialized historical usage.