寒
cold
Details
Description
Cold - a figure shivering under a roof. Winter cold, and the loneliness that word carries in Japanese.
Stroke Order
Cultural Context
Etymology
Person shivering with ice under roof (宀). Trembling from cold.
Symbolism
Cold, poverty, loneliness. '寒い' is physical and emotional coldness.
Related Culture & Scenes
- — Good old days
Seasonal
Represents harsh winter December to February. Winter greeting cards. Cold season begins around January 5th.
Words & Expressions
Words written with 寒
Four-Character Compounds
三寒四温
さんかんしおん
alternation of three cold and four warm days (usu. in late winter and early spring)
頭寒足熱
ずかんそくねつ
keeping the head cool and feet warm
一暴十寒
いちばくじっかん
bursts of exertion will fail to bear fruit if interrupted by long periods of idleness; strenuous efforts, unless sustained, are to no avail
枯木寒巌
こぼくかんがん
withered trees and frozen rocks; a person that is hard to approach
歳寒三友
さいかんさんゆう
the three friends of winter (pine, bamboo and plum)
Proverbs & Idioms
寒さ暑さも彼岸まで
さむさあつさもひがんまで
Cold and heat last only until the equinox
Extreme weather moderates after the spring/autumn equinox
Poetry
み吉野の 山の秋風 さ夜ふけて ふるさと寒く 衣うつなり
Autumn wind off the mountains of Yoshino; the night deepens, the old village is cold, and someone is beating cloth.
Other kanji with the same meaning
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 寒 mean in Japanese?
寒 means cold. Cold - a figure shivering under a roof. Winter cold, and the loneliness that word carries in Japanese.
How do you read 寒?
On'yomi: カン (KAN). Kun'yomi: さむ.い (samui).
How many strokes does 寒 have?
寒 has 12 strokes. Its radical is 宀 (roof).
Is 寒 a good kanji for a tattoo?
寒 is one of the kanji most often chosen for tattoos. It means cold. Read the full meaning and cultural background on this page first — some popular choices are deliberately dark.
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