Back

On'yomi
カン
KAN
Kun'yomi
み.る・しめ.す
miru / shimesu

outlook · look · appearance · condition · view

Details

Strokes18
Frequency#476
Radicalsee(7)
Old Form

Stroke Order

Loading...
Strokes18

Cultural Context

Etymology

Composed of phonetic and see. Looking well.

Symbolism

Sightseeing, observation, viewpoint. Represents looking.

Words & Expressions

Four-Character Compounds

拱手傍観

きょうしゅぼうかん

stand idly by and watch; stand idly by and watch

袖手傍観

しゅうしゅぼうかん

looking on with folded arms (with one's hands in one's sleeves); remaining a passive onlooker; looking on with folded arms (with one's hands in one's sleeves)

Proverbs & Idioms

観客席からは名将が多い

かんきゃくせきからはめいしょうがおおい

Many great generals sit in the stands

It's easy to criticize from the sidelines

Frequently Asked Questions

What does 観 mean in Japanese?

観 means outlook, look, appearance, condition, view.

How do you read 観?

On'yomi: カン (KAN). Kun'yomi: み.る、しめ.す (miru, shimesu).

How many strokes does 観 have?

観 has 18 strokes. Its radical is 見 (see).

Is 観 a good kanji for a tattoo?

Yes. 観 (outlook, look, appearance, condition, view) has a clear positive meaning and no embarrassing alternate readings, making it a solid tattoo choice.

Explore by meaning:kanji for look · kanji for appearance · kanji for condition · kanji for view