Years old, Talent, Genius
This kanji is a picture of a hand, showing only the thumb, index, and middle finger. These three fingers are the fingers of precision/dexterity, while the other two (ring & little finger) are the fingers of power/stability. A common example is the activity of writing. We would normally use the thumb, index, and middle finger to hold the pen/pencil, and the ring & little finger to stabilize the hand and hold the paper still. These fingers of dexterity represent the meaning of aptitude/talent, which will usually be discovered as one matures in age.- 一才 (いっさい) One year old
- 天才 (てんさい) A Genius
弓 (キュウ、ゆみ)
Bow (archery, violin)
This kanji is a picture of an archery bow with exaggerated curves.
汽 (キ)
Steam
Consists of the water radical (
) and the gas/vapor radical (气) to represent water vapor (steam).
) and the gas/vapor radical (气) to represent water vapor (steam).- 汽車 (きしゃ) Steam train
馬 (バ、うま)
Horse
This kanji is a part of a picture of a horse, showing only its mane, legs, and tail.- 出馬 (しゅつば) Running for election
少 (ショウ、すく.ない、す.こし)
Few, Little
Consists of the kanji "small" (小) and a curve below which represents a container (a plate/bowl). With a small container, we can only get a few (foods, water, etc).
- 少年 (しょうねん) Boys, Juveniles
- 少女 (しょうじょ) Young lady, Little girl
- 少々 (しょうしょう) Just a minute, Small quantity
- 青少年 (せいしょうねん) Youth, Young person
