Meaning
The kanji 垂 (たれる / スイ) primarily conveys the meaning of "to droop," "to hang down," "to suspend," or "to let fall." It can also imply "to sag," "to lower," or, in more formal contexts, "to condescend" or "to impart." This character is a fascinating example of how ancient pictographs evolved to represent complex ideas.
Its origin is believed to be a pictograph depicting something hanging down from a high point, like a branch or a roof. The upper part of the character (ノ) often symbolizes an overhead structure or a point from which something extends, while the lower part visually represents the object suspended or falling. Imagine a drop of water falling, or a branch bending downwards with the weight of snow. The visual form of 垂 quite intuitively reflects this concept: the top stroke suggests a ceiling or an overhang, and the subsequent strokes indicate something extending downwards from it. This direct visual connection makes the core meaning relatively easy to grasp once its structure is understood.
In Japanese, 垂 is often encountered in verbs that describe objects naturally hanging (intransitive) or actions of letting something hang (transitive). It's also used in nouns related to hanging elements or even sauces. With a stroke count of 8, it is a moderately complex character to write, and as a Jōyō kanji not assigned to a specific school grade, it is categorized as Grade 9, indicating its advanced usage in Japanese.
Readings
On'yomi (音読み) — Chinese-derived readings
The on'yomi reading for 垂 is スイ (SUI). This reading is typically used in compound words, often with a more formal or technical nuance. These compounds are commonly found in academic, administrative, or specialized contexts.
- 垂線 (suisen) — This means a "perpendicular line." It's a term frequently used in mathematics and geometry. For example, 三角形の垂線 (sankakukei no suisen) refers to the altitude of a triangle.
- 垂涎 (suizen) — Meaning "drooling" or "coveting." This term describes a strong desire or craving for something, often to the point of literal drooling. An example might be 垂涎の的 (suizen no mato), an object of desire.
- 垂範 (suihan) — Refers to "setting an example" or "providing a model." It emphasizes leading by demonstration, especially by a superior or respected figure. For instance, 師の垂範 (shi no suihan) means a teacher's example.
Kun'yomi (訓読み) — Native Japanese readings
The kun'yomi readings of 垂 are more varied and reflect its direct usage in native Japanese verbs and nouns. These readings often appear with okurigana (送りがな), the trailing hiragana that complete the verb or noun form.
た.れる (ta.reru) — This is the intransitive verb form, meaning "to droop," "to hang down," or "to sag." It describes a natural state or action.
枝垂れる (shidare-ru) — To droop, often used for branches of trees like a weeping willow (枝垂れ柳).
涙が垂れる (namida ga tareru) — Tears run down.
鼻水が垂れる (hanamizu ga tareru) — One's nose runs.
た.らす (ta.rasu) — This is the transitive verb form, meaning "to let hang down," "to drip (liquid)," or "to dangle." It implies an agent causing the action.
髪を垂らす (kami o tarasu) — To let one's hair hang down.
絵の具を垂らす (enogu o tarasu) — To drip paint.
涎を垂らす (yodare o tarasu) — To drool.
た.れ (ta.re) — This reading functions as a noun or part of a compound noun, often referring to a sauce, a hanging object, or something that droops.
タレ (tare) — A common term for a dipping sauce or dressing, such as for grilled meat or dumplings.
垂れ幕 (taremaku) — A hanging banner or curtain.
垂れ耳 (taremimi) — Drooping ears (e.g., of a dog).
Common Words & Compounds
The kanji 垂 forms a variety of useful and interesting compound words in Japanese, reflecting its diverse applications from nature to human actions and abstract concepts. Understanding these compounds will significantly enhance your comprehension of advanced Japanese.
Nature and Physical Appearance
- 枝垂れ桜 (shidarezakura) — A weeping cherry tree, famous for its gracefully drooping branches laden with blossoms.
- 髪垂れる (kamitareru) — A more literary or archaic way to describe hair hanging down, often implying elegance or a traditional style.
- 垂れ目 (tareme) — Drooping eyes, a facial feature often associated with a gentle or kind expression.
- 軒垂れ (nokidare) — The eaves of a roof or the drips from the eaves, describing the lowest part of the roof where water runs off.
- 垂木 (taruki) — A rafter, one of the sloping timbers that support the roof covering.
Actions and States
- 垂れ下がる (taresagaru) — A compound verb meaning "to hang down" or "to dangle," emphasizing the downward motion or position. For instance, 天井からコードが垂れ下がっている (tenjō kara kōdo ga taresagatte iru) means "a cord is hanging down from the ceiling."
- 垂れ流す (tarenagasu) — To let flow out, to discharge, or to leak. This often implies an uncontrolled or irresponsible release of liquid or information.
- 垂れ込む (tarekomu) — To inform against someone, often secretly; to leak information. This term carries a nuance of betrayal or gossip.
- 垂れる (tareru) — The basic intransitive verb, as in 木の葉が垂れる (konoha ga tareru), meaning "tree leaves droop."
Abstract and Figurative Uses
- 垂訓 (suikun) — Formal instruction, precept, or teaching, often from a respected elder or leader. It implies wisdom being passed down.
- 垂示 (suiji) — Instruction or indication given by example. Similar to 垂範 (suihan), it emphasizes demonstration over mere words.
- 不朽に垂れる (fukyuu ni tareru) — A more poetic expression meaning "to be handed down for eternity" or "to leave an imperishable legacy," referring to something that will never be forgotten.
- 垂壁 (suiheki) — An overhanging wall, typically used in the context of rock climbing to describe a challenging vertical or near-vertical face.
Example Sentences
柳の枝が風に垂れている。
Yanagi no eda ga kaze ni tarete iru.
The willow branches are drooping in the wind.
彼女は長い髪を肩まで垂らしていた。
Kanojo wa nagai kami o kata made tarashite ita.
She had her long hair hanging down to her shoulders.
軒下から雨水が垂れ落ちる。
Nokishita kara amamizu ga tareochiru.
Rainwater drips down from the eaves.
この焼肉のタレは絶品だ。
Kono yakiniku no tare wa zeppindda.
This barbecue sauce is exquisite.
歴史に垂範を残す偉人。
Rekishi ni suihan o nokosu ijin.
A great person who left an example for history.
目の前に垂れ下がる蜘蛛の巣に驚いた。
Me no mae ni taresagaru kumo no su ni odoroita.
I was surprised by the spider web hanging down in front of my eyes.
彼は枝垂れ桜の下で休憩した。
Kare wa shidarezakura no moto de kyūkei shita.
He rested under the weeping cherry tree.
垂涎の的となるような豪華な料理が並んでいた。
Suizen no mato to naru yō na gōkana ryōri ga narande ita.
Luxurious dishes that would make one drool were lined up.
上司の垂訓はいつも心に響く。
Jōshi no suikun wa itsumo kokoro ni hibiku.
My boss's instructions always resonate with me.
Memory Tip
To remember the kanji 垂, visualize it as something hanging down from an overhead structure. The top horizontal stroke and the following diagonal stroke (ノ) can represent a roof or an overhang. The remaining part (similar to 千, meaning "thousand") can be seen as many threads or drops of something falling or hanging down from that roof. Alternatively, you can see the top part as a simple hook or fastener, and the bottom as the object that is being suspended. Imagine a thousand tiny drops of rain or a thousand strands of hair hanging down. This visual connection to something suspended or falling downwards should help solidify its core meaning of "to droop" or "to hang."