Meaning
Today, we'll examine the N1 kanji 呈! This character conveys a sense of formality and a respectful nuance of 'presenting' or 'displaying' something. Essentially, 呈 means to present, display, offer, or exhibit. You'll often find it in contexts where something is formally shown, submitted, or takes on a particular appearance.
Understanding its origin can help. 呈 is a phono-semantic compound. This means it combines a semantic component, which hints at its meaning, with a phonetic component, which suggests its sound. On the left, we have the radical 口 (kuchi), meaning 'mouth'. This suggests an act of speaking, expressing, or presenting something verbally, or perhaps indicating an opening from which something emerges. The right part, 壬, serves as the phonetic component, giving the kanji its 'テイ' sound. Historically, 壬 could mean 'ruler' or 'master' in some contexts, potentially adding a nuance of formality or presenting to a superior. Thus, you can imagine 呈 as 'presenting something verbally or through an opening in a formal manner.'
The kanji's visual form also connects to its core meanings. The 'mouth' radical evokes speaking or offering, while the right side suggests a structured, formal presentation. When you encounter 呈, think of a deliberate and often respectful act of showing something. This N1 kanji has 7 strokes and is considered advanced for Japanese learners.
Readings
On'yomi (音読み) — Chinese-derived readings
The primary, and almost exclusive, On'yomi for 呈 is テイ (tei). This reading is consistently used in nearly all compound words. You'll rarely find 呈 appearing as a standalone kanji in spoken Japanese; it almost always forms part of a larger word.
- 呈示 (teiji) — This term signifies 'presentation' or 'exhibition,' often used for documents, identification, or evidence. It implies a formal act of showing something, such as: 'Please present your ID.'
身分証明書のご呈示をお願いします。
- 進呈 (shintei) — Refers to the 'presentation' or 'offering' of a gift or token of appreciation. It's a more formal and respectful way of saying 'giving.' For example, a company might offer a gift:
参加者全員に記念品を進呈しました。(Commemorative gifts were presented to all participants.)
- 呈上 (teijō) — A very formal and humble expression meaning 'presentation' or 'offering' specifically to a superior. This term might appear in highly ceremonial or traditional contexts, like offering a prayer or a formal report to a high-ranking official.
感謝状を社長に呈上する。(To present a letter of appreciation to the company president.)
Kun'yomi (訓読み) — Native Japanese readings
呈 does not have any commonly used Kun'yomi readings on its own. This means you won't typically find it combined with okurigana (送り仮名) to form a native Japanese verb or adjective. Instead, it almost exclusively functions within On'yomi compounds, notably in the form of 呈する. This compound verb technically uses the On'yomi 'テイ' combined with the native Japanese verb 'する' (suru). Therefore, for a standalone native reading, 呈 is quite unique in its strong On'yomi prevalence!
Common Words & Compounds
Here are some common and useful words incorporating the kanji 呈, categorized to help you better understand their nuances.
Words related to formal presentation or submission:
- 呈する (tei suru) — To present, offer, or exhibit. This is a versatile verb used in phrases like 意見を呈する (to present one's opinion) or 病状を呈する (to exhibit symptoms).
- 呈示 (teiji) — Presentation, exhibition (e.g., showing identification or documents).
- 進呈 (shintei) — Presentation, gift. Often used when a company distributes free samples or small gifts.
- 呈上 (teijō) — Presenting to a superior; offering. This is a highly formal and polite term.
- 呈出 (teishutsu) — To present, to submit. While less common than 提出 (teishutsu), it carries a similar meaning of handing something in.
Words related to displaying characteristics or appearances:
- 呈色 (teishoku) — Coloration, color reaction (e.g., in chemistry, when a solution changes color).
- 呈状 (teijō) — To show a state or condition, describing something taking on a certain appearance.
- 呈味 (teimi) — The taste something presents; flavor. This is a more technical term, often used in food science.
- 呈相 (teisō) — Appearance, aspect, state. It describes the general look or condition of something.
Other formal or less common usages:
- 呈顔 (teigan) — To show one's face (often in a formal or literary context).
- 呈情 (teijō) — To express one's feelings or affection (literary).
- 奏呈 (sōtei) — Presenting to the emperor (historical, very formal).
Example Sentences
身分証明書のご呈示をお願いします。
mibun shōmeisho no go-teiji o onegai shimasu.
Please present your identification.
この書類は早急に部長に呈する必要があります。
kono shorui wa sōkyū ni buchō ni tei suru hitsuyō ga arimasu.
It is necessary to present these documents to the manager immediately.
記念品として、参加者全員に特別な品が進呈されました。
kinenhin to shite, sankasha zen'in ni tokubetsu na shina ga shintei saremashita.
Special gifts were presented to all participants as souvenirs.
その実験では、溶液は鮮やかな青色を呈しました。
sono jikken de wa, yōeki wa azayaka na aoiro o tei shimashita.
In that experiment, the solution exhibited a vivid blue color.
彼の作品は、独特の世界観を呈している。
kare no sakuhin wa, dokutoku no sekaikan o tei shite iru.
His work displays a unique worldview.
論文の結論を簡潔に呈してください。
ronbun no ketsuron o kanketsu ni tei shite kudasai.
Please present the conclusion of the thesis concisely.
この美術館では、毎年新進気鋭のアーティストの作品が呈示されます。
kono bijutsukan de wa, maitoshi shinshin kiei no ātisuto no sakuhin ga teiji saremasu.
This museum presents works by up-and-coming artists every year.
彼の発言は、明らかに敵意を呈しているように聞こえた。
kare no hatsugen wa, akiraka ni tekii o tei shite iru yō ni kikoeta.
His remarks sounded as if they clearly displayed hostility.
会社を代表して、感謝状を呈上いたします。
kaisha o daihyō shite, kanshajō o teijō itashimasu.
On behalf of the company, I will present this letter of appreciation.
Memory Tip
To remember 呈, consider it as a formal act of presentation. Visualize someone using their mouth (口) to formally present (呈) something significant, perhaps a speech to a master (壬) or a high-ranking official. The 'mouth' implies active verbalization or offering, while the 'master' component underscores formality and respect. So, the image is 'presenting with the mouth to a master.' Alternatively, you might picture a document being formally presented, almost as if it's 'issuing' from a 'mouth' for a 'ruler' to inspect.