Meaning
The kanji 懸 holds a rich and complex array of meanings, crucial for advanced Japanese learners. It encompasses core meanings like 'to suspend,' 'to hang,' 'to depend,' 'to risk,' and 'to devote.' Beyond these, it can also suggest 'being concerned' or 'anxious,' and in some less common contexts, 'far' or 'remote.'
Historically, 懸 is an ideographic compound (会意文字). Its form combines 縣 (xiàn in Chinese, meaning 'to hang' or 'a county,' with the 'hang' sense being most relevant here) and 心 (xīn), meaning 'heart' or 'mind.' The upper component, 縣, which itself contains 糸 (thread), visually suggests the act of hanging or being suspended. The crucial addition of 心 at the bottom imbues the character with a deeper layer: it signifies 'suspending one's heart/mind,' 'being concerned,' 'anxious,' or 'devoting oneself fully.' This combination elegantly explains its varied applications, ranging from the literal act of hanging something to the abstract concept of one's fate or emotions 'hanging' in the balance, or 'devoting' one's heart to a cause. The visual connection to 'thread' and 'heart' beautifully illustrates both physical suspension and emotional dependence.
This kanji has 20 strokes and is a Jōyō Kanji, though it falls outside the elementary school grades. In some systems, it's categorized as Grade S or 'Special,' hence the 'grade 0' designation here.
Readings
On'yomi (音読み) — Chinese-derived readings
The primary On'yomi reading for 懸 is ケン (KEN). It frequently appears in compound words, conveying abstract ideas such as concern, dependence, or formal suspension.
- 懸念 (kenen) — concern; apprehension; worry. This term refers to a feeling of unease or anxiety about a situation, reflecting the idea of one's 'heart being suspended' in worry.
Example: 環境破壊について深い懸念を抱いています。
- 懸案 (ken'an) — pending issue; unsettled question. It denotes a matter that has been 'hanging' or remained unresolved for some time.
Example: その問題は長年の懸案となっています。
- 懸賞 (kenshō) — prize; reward. It refers to something that is 'hung up' as a prize or reward for competition, implying it is a valuable and sought-after item.
Example: 懸賞金を獲得した。
Kun'yomi (訓読み) — Native Japanese readings
懸's Kun'yomi readings are common and versatile, primarily appearing in verb forms.
- かける (kakeru) (transitive verb) — This is a versatile transitive verb, meaning 'to hang (something),' 'to suspend,' 'to bet,' 'to risk,' 'to spend (time/money),' 'to devote,' or 'to apply.' It implies actively placing, engaging, or committing something.
Example: 旗を懸ける (hata wo kakeru) — to hang a flag.
Example: 命を懸ける (inochi wo kakeru) — to risk one's life.
Example: 時間を懸ける (jikan wo kakeru) — to spend time.
- かかる (kakaru) (intransitive verb) — This intransitive verb means 'to hang (by itself),' 'to be suspended,' 'to depend on,' 'to take (time/money),' or 'to be caught.' It describes a state of being, or the incurring of time, cost, or a situation.
Example: 壁に絵が懸かる (kabe ni e ga kakaru) — a picture hangs on the wall.
Example: 費用が懸かる (hiyō ga kakaru) — expenses are incurred; it costs money.
Example: 運命が懸かる (unmei ga kakaru) — fate depends on it.
- かかり (kakari) (noun form) — As a noun, かかり can refer to a person in charge, an attendant, or a specific responsibility. It also describes the state of being hooked or caught, or how something hangs.
Example: 係 (kakari) — person in charge (often written with 係, but 懸かり can be seen in contexts like something being hooked or caught).
Example: 懸かり具合 (kakari-guai) — the way something hangs, catches, or engages.
Common Words & Compounds
The kanji 懸 forms a wide array of useful compound words, showcasing its diverse meanings. Below are some key examples, categorized by their thematic usage:
Words related to concern, problems, and outcomes:
懸念 (kenen) — concern; apprehension. Expressing worry or doubt.
懸案 (ken'an) — pending issue; unsettled question. A problem that remains unresolved.
懸案事項 (ken'an-jikō) — pending matters.
懸命 (kenmei) — eagerly; desperately; with utmost effort. Often used with 懸命に (kenmei ni) to describe doing something with one's utmost effort or wholeheartedly.
Words related to prizes, rewards, and competition:
懸賞 (kenshō) — prize; reward. Something offered as an award.
懸賞金 (kenshōkin) — prize money; reward money.
懸賞論文 (kenshō ronbun) — prize-winning essay (contest).
Words related to physical suspension and mechanical structures:
懸垂 (kensui) — hanging; pull-ups (exercise). Literally 'hanging and pulling.'
懸架 (kenka) — suspension (e.g., in a vehicle). The system by which a vehicle is supported on its wheels.
懸崖 (kengai) — cliff; precipice. A place where something hangs precariously.
懸垂幕 (kensuimaku) — hanging banner; vertical banner.
Words related to risk, devotion, and dependence:
命懸け (inochigake) — risking one's life; desperate. Doing something with one's life on the line.
全局を懸ける (zenkyoku wo kakeru) — to stake everything on a game/situation.
懸隔 (kenkaku) — wide divergence; great disparity. Implies a significant distance or gap, as if elements are 'hanging' far apart.
Example Sentences
壁に新しいカレンダーが懸かっている。
Kabe ni atarashii karendā ga kakatte iru.
A new calendar is hanging on the wall.
彼は夢を追うために全てを懸けた。
Kare wa yume wo ou tame ni subete wo kaketa.
He risked everything to pursue his dream.
今回の大会には高額な懸賞金が用意されている。
Konkai no taikai ni wa kōgaku na kenshōkin ga yōi sarete iru.
A large prize money has been prepared for this tournament.
私たちは計画の成功について懸念を抱いている。
Watashitachi wa keikaku no seikō ni tsuite kenen wo idaite iru.
We have concerns about the success of the plan.
子供たちの未来は私たちの選択に懸かっている。
Kodomotachi no mirai wa watashitachi no sentaku ni kakatte iru.
The future of our children depends on our choices.
彼は目標達成のために懸命に努力した。
Kare wa mokuhyō tassei no tame ni kenmei ni doryoku shita.
He made desperate efforts to achieve his goal.
その国際会議では複数の懸案事項が議論された。
Sono kokusaikaigi de wa fukusū no ken'an-jikō ga giron sareta.
Several pending issues were discussed at that international conference.
新しいシステムの導入には多大な費用が懸かるだろう。
Atarashii shisutemu no dōnyū ni wa tadai na hiyō ga kakaru darō.
The introduction of the new system will likely incur considerable costs.
Memory Tip
To effectively remember 懸, visualize its constituent parts. At the top, you'll find the radical 糸 (ito), meaning 'thread.' This thread immediately brings to mind something being 'hung' or 'suspended.' Beneath it, enclosed within the larger frame (derived from 縣), is 心 (kokoro), representing 'heart' or 'mind.' Picture your heart 'suspended' by a thin 'thread' due to deep 'concern' or 'anxiety' about a situation. Alternatively, consider 'risking' your 'heart' on a 'bet,' with the outcome 'hanging' in the balance. This combination of 'thread' (physical suspension) and 'heart' (emotional or dependent state) helps capture 懸's multifaceted meanings. These range from the literal act of hanging an object to feeling anxious about a pending issue or dedicating oneself wholeheartedly to a task.