Meaning
The kanji 欄 (らん) primarily means 'column,' 'section,' or 'field' within documents, forms, or publications. Additionally, it can refer to a 'railing' or 'balustrade,' especially one made of wood. This dual meaning has fascinating etymological roots.
The character 欄 is a phono-semantic compound (形声文字 - keisei moji). This means it combines a semantic component that hints at its meaning with a phonetic component that suggests its pronunciation. The left-hand radical, 木 (き - tree, wood), is the semantic component. This strongly suggests the kanji's original connection to wooden objects, such as a wooden fence, rail, or a wooden frame that creates a division. This directly ties into its meanings of 'railing' or 'balustrade.'
The right-hand component, 闌 (らん - ran), serves as the phonetic component, providing the 'ran' sound. Though primarily phonetic, 闌 itself carries meanings like 'late,' 'to finish,' or refers to an 'ornamental fence' or a 'balustrade around a gate.' This implies that the phonetic component already hinted at concepts of enclosure or physical barriers. Thus, the combination of 木 (wood) and 闌 (fence/enclosure) beautifully captures the essence of a wooden division, a railing, or a defined section within a larger space.
Visually, you can imagine the wooden radical on the left providing the material for the divisions or railings implied by the right side. This helps explain its common usage in contexts like an 'entry field' on a form (where a section is created for data) or a 'column' in a newspaper (a divided section for specific content). With 21 strokes, 欄 is a relatively complex kanji designated for the JLPT N1 level, signaling its advanced usage in Japanese.
Readings
On'yomi (音読み) — Chinese-derived readings
The primary and almost exclusive On'yomi for 欄 is ラン (RAN).
ラン (RAN): This reading is widely used in compound words, particularly those related to divisions, sections, and structural elements. Its pronunciation remains consistent in most contexts where the kanji 欄 appears.
記入欄 (kinyūran) — entry field; a space on a form to fill in information.
投稿欄 (tōkōran) — submission column; a section in a publication for reader contributions. For example, a "letters to the editor" section.
欄干 (rankan) — balustrade; railing; a protective barrier, typically along a bridge or balcony.
空欄 (kūran) — blank column; an empty space or field on a document.
広告欄 (kōkokuran) — advertisement column; a section dedicated to advertisements in a newspaper or magazine.
Kun'yomi (訓読み) — Native Japanese readings
The kanji 欄 does not have any commonly used Kun'yomi (訓読み). It is almost exclusively used with its On'yomi, ラン, in compound words. This pattern is common among N1 kanji, which often appear in more formal, Chinese-derived compound terms.
Common Words & Compounds
You'll often find 欄 in compounds primarily related to sections, fields, and architectural elements. Here are some common examples, grouped for clarity:
General Columns/Sections
- 空欄 (kūran) — blank column; an empty space on a form or document meant to be filled.
- 記入欄 (kinyūran) — entry field; a specific section for writing down information.
- 解答欄 (kaitōran) — answer column; the space provided to write answers, typically in an exam.
- コメント欄 (komento ran) — comment section; an area for users to leave remarks, often online.
- 項目欄 (kōmokuran) — item column; a field or section for a specific item of information.
- 備考欄 (bikōran) — remarks column; a section for notes or supplementary information.
Publication/Media Columns
- 投書欄 (tōshoran) — letters to the editor column; a section for readers' submitted letters.
- 広告欄 (kōkokuran) — advertisement column; a dedicated space for advertisements in newspapers or magazines.
- 特集欄 (tokushūran) — special feature column; a section highlighting a particular topic.
- コラム欄 (koramu ran) — column; a regular feature or article in a newspaper or magazine.
- 新聞欄 (shinbunran) — newspaper column; a general term for a column in a newspaper.
Architectural Elements
- 欄干 (rankan) — balustrade, railing; a series of balusters supporting a handrail, as on a balcony or bridge.
Example Sentences
申込書の氏名欄に氏名を記入してください。
Mōshikomisho no shimeiran ni shimei o kinyū shite kudasai.
Please fill in your name in the name column of the application form.
新聞の投書欄には様々な意見が掲載されています。
Shinbun no tōshoran ni wa samazama na iken ga keisai sareteimasu.
Various opinions are published in the letters to the editor column of the newspaper.
この試験では、解答欄に正確に答えることが重要です。
Kono shiken de wa, kaitōran ni seikaku ni kotaeru koto ga jūyō desu.
In this exam, it is important to answer accurately in the answer column.
ウェブサイトの下部にコメント欄が設けられています。
Webusaito no kabu ni komento ran ga mōke rareteimasu.
A comment section is provided at the bottom of the website.
申請書の空欄は、すべて埋めてから提出してください。
Shinseisho no kūran wa, subete umete kara teishutsu shite kudasai.
Please fill in all blank spaces on the application form before submitting it.
橋の欄干に手を置いて、川の流れを眺めました。
Hashi no rankan ni te o oite, kawa no nagare o nagamemashita.
I placed my hand on the bridge's railing and watched the river flow.
雑誌の新着情報欄を読んで、最新のトレンドを確認しました。
Zasshi no shinchaku jōhōran o yonde, saishin no trendo o kakunin shimashita.
I read the new arrivals information column in the magazine to check the latest trends.
この項目に該当しない場合は、備考欄に「該当なし」と記入してください。
Kono kōmoku ni gaitō shinai baai wa, bikōran ni 'gaitō nashi' to kinyū shite kudasai.
If this item does not apply, please write 'not applicable' in the remarks column.
Memory Tip
To remember 欄, focus on its two main components. On the left is 木 (ki), meaning 'tree' or 'wood.' This immediately suggests a connection to wooden structures. On the right is 闌 (ran), which provides the phonetic 'ran' sound. Visualize a sturdy wooden railing (木) that encloses a section, much like a decorative gate or fence (闌) would. Imagine a 'column' or 'section' on a form, perhaps outlined with wooden dividers. This image of wooden boundaries creating defined 'sections' or 'railings' will help you recall both its meaning and its primary On'yomi, ラン.