Meaning
The kanji 隔 (kaku) primarily conveys the ideas of 'separation,' 'distance,' 'interval,' and 'alternation.' It describes the act of creating a space or barrier between things, as well as the resulting state of being physically or temporally separated. You'll often find this kanji describing everything from geographical barriers and physical spaces to temporal intervals and even abstract social or emotional distance.
Delving into its etymology provides valuable insight into its meaning. 隔 is a semantic-phonetic compound character. The left-hand radical, 阝 (こざとへん), is an abbreviated form of 阜, meaning 'mound,' 'hill,' or 'earthen wall.' This radical often appears in kanji associated with places, boundaries, or physical obstructions, powerfully suggesting a barrier or division. The right-hand component is 鬲 (reki), which originally depicted a tripod cauldron or vessel with legs. In this compound, 鬲 primarily serves as the phonetic component, giving the kanji its 'kaku' sound. However, some scholarly interpretations link its ancient form to a sense of dividing or separating space within a container. Together, these components visually imply something being 'separated' or 'divided' by a 'mound' or 'barrier.' This neatly encapsulates the core idea of distance, obstruction, and partition.
The kanji 隔 has 13 strokes and is designated as an N1 level kanji, signifying its importance for advanced Japanese language learners. Thanks to its versatility, 隔 forms words describing everything from precise intervals to vast distances, making it a critical component of higher-level vocabulary.
Readings
On'yomi (音読み) — Chinese-derived readings
The primary On'yomi (Chinese-derived reading) for 隔 is カク (kaku). This reading is primarily used in compound words, especially those forming nouns or more formal expressions related to intervals, separation, or isolation. Its usage often lends a more academic or precise tone than its native Japanese counterparts.
- 間隔 (kankaku) — Meaning 'interval,' 'space,' or 'distance,' this compound refers to the empty space or time between two points, objects, or events. For example, 座席の間隔 (zaseki no kankaku) means 'the spacing between seats,' referring to a physical gap.
- 隔離 (kakuri) — Meaning 'isolation,' 'segregation,' or 'quarantine.' This term describes when someone or something is intentionally separated from others, often for safety, medical, or administrative reasons. For instance, 感染者の隔離 (kansensha no kakuri) means 'isolation of infected individuals.'
- 隔週 (kakushū) — This compound literally translates to 'every other week' or 'bi-weekly.' It denotes an event or occurrence happening with a one-week interval, thus indicating a pattern of alternation. For example, 隔週で会議を行う (kakushū de kaigi o okonau), meaning 'to hold a meeting bi-weekly.'
Kun'yomi (訓読み) — Native Japanese readings
The Kun'yomi (native Japanese readings) for 隔 are へだ-てる (heda-teru) and へだ-たる (heda-taru). These readings are used when 隔 functions as a standalone verb or is part of a verb conjugation, allowing for more direct and expressive descriptions of separation or distance in everyday Japanese.
- 隔てる (hedateru) — This is a transitive verb meaning 'to separate,' 'to partition,' or 'to put a distance between.' It implies an active agent creating a barrier or gap between two entities. For example, 壁が部屋を隔てる (kabe ga heya o hedateru) means 'a wall separates the rooms,' describing the action of the wall.
- 隔たる (hedataru) — This is an intransitive verb meaning 'to be distant,' 'to be separated from,' or 'to lie between.' It describes an existing state of separation or distance, without an explicit agent performing the action. For example, 故郷から遠く隔たる (furusato kara tōku hedataru) means 'to be far distant from one's hometown.'
Common Words & Compounds
The kanji 隔 forms many useful and frequently encountered compound words in Japanese, spanning themes of time, space, and even interpersonal relations. Familiarity with these compounds is vital for N1 level proficiency and for comprehending nuanced expressions.
- Temporal and Interval-Related Terms:
- 隔週 (kakushū) — bi-weekly, every other week. Describes a recurring event with a one-week interval, highlighting alternation.
- 隔月 (kakugetsu) — bi-monthly, every other month. Used for events, meetings, or publications that occur every two months.
- 隔年 (kakunen) — bi-annual, every other year. Denotes something that happens with a two-year interval.
- 間隔 (kankaku) — interval, space, distance. Refers to the physical or temporal gap between two points or occurrences; it's critical for precise measurements and scheduling.
- Separation and Distance-Related Terms:
- 隔離 (kakuri) — isolation, segregation, quarantine. The act or state of being separated from others, often for specific, usually preventative, reasons like safety or health.
- 遠隔 (enkaku) — remote, distant. Commonly used in technical or modern contexts, such as 遠隔操作 (enkaku sōsa - remote control) or 遠隔学習 (enkaku gakushū - remote learning).
- 隔世 (kakusei) — generations apart; a long time ago. Often used to describe significant differences or changes observed over multiple generations. For instance, 隔世の感 (kakusei no kan) conveys 'a feeling of being generations apart.'
- 隔壁 (kakuheki) — bulkhead, partition wall. A structural barrier used to divide space, commonly found in ships, aircraft, or buildings. For example, a fireproof bulkhead (防火隔壁) can prevent fire spread.
- 隔絶 (kakuzetsu) — complete isolation, cutoff, severance. Describes an extreme state of being cut off or utterly separated from the outside world or other entities. Think of an isolated island nation or a remote research station.
- Verbal Forms in Practice:
- 隔てる (hedateru) — to separate, to partition, to put a distance between. Used when an agent actively creates separation, such as building a wall.
- 隔たる (hedataru) — to be distant, to be separated, to lie between. Used when a state of separation exists inherently, like two towns being far apart.
Example Sentences
二つの村は山で隔たっています。
Futatsu no mura wa yama de hedatatte imasu.
The two villages are separated by a mountain.
会議は隔週で行われます。
Kaigi wa kakushū de okonawaremasu.
The meeting is held bi-weekly.
私たちは国境を隔てて住んでいます。
Watashitachi wa kokkyō o hedatete sunde imasu.
We live separated by a national border.
病院では感染症患者を隔離しました。
Byōin de wa kansenshō kanja o kakuri shimashita.
The hospital isolated the infectious disease patients.
遠隔操作で機械を動かすことができます。
Enkaku sōsa de kikai o ugokasu koto ga dekimasu.
You can operate the machine by remote control.
この地域は文明から隔絶されているかのようです。
Kono chiiki wa bunmei kara kakuzetsu sarete iru ka no yō desu.
This region seems to be completely cut off from civilization.
世代間の隔たりは大きいが、理解し合うことが大切だ。
Sedaikan no hedatari wa ōkii ga, rikai shiau koto ga taisetsu da.
Although there is a large generational gap, it is important to understand each other.
列車の座席の間隔が広くなり、より快適になった。
Ressha no zaseki no kankaku ga hiroku nari, yori kaiteki ni natta.
The spacing between train seats has widened, making it more comfortable.
部屋の間に壁を隔てた方が静かになります。
Heya no aida ni kabe o hedateta hō ga shizuka ni narimasu.
It will be quieter if you put a wall between the rooms.
Memory Tip
To remember the kanji 隔, visualize its components to create a memorable scene. The left part, 阝 (an abbreviated form of 阜), clearly represents a 'hill,' 'mound,' or 'barrier.' The right part, 鬲, while primarily phonetic, can be imagined as a 'cauldron' or a 'vessel' with legs. Picture a large, mystical cauldron (鬲) sitting on one side, and you on the other. A towering 'hill' (阝) has been placed squarely between you and the cauldron, actively separating you from it. This hill creates a significant distance and acts as an uncrossable barrier. This visual story directly connects the components to the core meanings of 'to separate,' 'to be distant,' and 'to interpose' that 隔 embodies, helping solidify your understanding. The barrier keeps things apart, effectively establishing an interval or separation.