Meaning
The N2 kanji 刊 (かん) is a versatile character. It primarily means 'publish,' 'issue,' 'engrave,' and 'carve.' In modern Japanese, 刊 almost always refers to making information public, typically through printed media like books, magazines, or newspapers.
Its origin is quite interesting. 刊 is a phono-semantic compound. This means it combines a phonetic component, hinting at its sound, with a semantic component, which suggests its meaning. On the left, we find 干 (かん - kan). This acts as the phonetic component, indicating the 'kan' reading. While 干 itself can mean 'dry' or 'shield,' here its main role is phonetic.
On the right side is 刀 (とう - tō), the 'knife' or 'sword' radical. This radical provides insight into the kanji's original meaning. Imagine ancient texts being carved onto bamboo slips or wooden blocks with a knife. This act of 'carving' or 'engraving' with a 'knife' (刀) to prepare a document is where the kanji's meaning began. As printing technology advanced, this 'carving' evolved into the broader concept of 'publishing' or 'issuing' printed materials.
Visually, you can connect the 'knife' radical with the precise action needed to prepare something for widespread distribution. This kanji has 5 strokes and is not assigned to a specific elementary school grade (Grade 0), but it is a key character for intermediate Japanese learners studying for the JLPT N2 level.
Readings
The kanji 刊 is relatively straightforward in terms of readings, as it predominantly uses one On'yomi in common usage. Understanding this reading and its associated compound words will significantly help you master 刊.
On'yomi (音読み) — Chinese-derived readings
The main On'yomi reading for 刊 is カン (KAN). This reading appears almost exclusively when 刊 is combined with other kanji to form compound words. It's especially common in terms related to publishing, printing, and the frequency of publications.
- 刊行 (kankō) — This is a common term for 'publication' or 'issue.' It refers to both the act of publishing and the published item itself. For example, a new book's release would be described as its 刊行。
- 創刊 (sōkan) — Meaning 'launching a publication' or 'first issue.' This term describes when a magazine, newspaper, or journal is published for the very first time.
- 日刊 (nikkan) — This compound means 'daily publication' or 'daily newspaper.' It indicates something published every day, most often referring to newspapers.
Kun'yomi (訓読み) — Native Japanese readings
Unlike many kanji, 刊 does not have a commonly used native Japanese reading (Kun'yomi) on its own. While its historical meaning is linked to carving, the verb 'to carve' is usually expressed with 刻む (きざむ - kizamu). The kanji 刊 is almost entirely used in its On'yomi within compound words. Therefore, you will not typically see 刊 used alone or with hiragana suffixes to form a verb or adjective.
Common Words & Compounds
Here are some common and useful words and compounds featuring the kanji 刊. These terms are essential for understanding how 刊 is used in practical contexts, especially in media, journalism, and literature. They often relate to the frequency of publications or the act of publishing itself.
- 月刊 (gekkan) — monthly publication. This refers to magazines or journals published once a month, such as a monthly fashion magazine.
- 週刊 (shūkan) — weekly publication. Used for periodicals that come out every week, like a weekly news magazine.
- 季刊 (kikan) — quarterly publication. Refers to items published four times a year, typically on a seasonal basis, such as an academic journal.
- 年刊 (nenkan) — annual publication. Used for publications released once a year, like yearbooks or annual reports.
- 夕刊 (yūkan) — evening newspaper. Distinct from the morning paper, this is published in the evening.
- 刊行物 (kankōbutsu) — publication, printed matter. A general term for anything that has been published, like a research paper or a pamphlet.
- 新刊 (shinkan) — new publication, new book. Refers to recently published works, often seen at bookstores.
- 出版 (shuppan) — publication, publishing. While similar to 刊行, 出版 is often used more broadly to describe the industry or the general act of producing and distributing books.
- 復刊 (fukkan) — republication, reissuing. This term is used when a previously discontinued publication is brought back into print.
- 廃刊 (haikan) — discontinuation of publication. The act of stopping the publication of a magazine or newspaper permanently.
- 増刊号 (zōkangō) — extra issue, special issue. A supplemental issue of a periodical, often released for a special event or a particular topic.
- 正刊</rt ruby> (seikan) — regular publication. Refers to the standard or main issue of a periodical, as opposed to a special or extra issue.
Example Sentences
この雑誌は月刊です。
Kono zasshi wa gekkan desu.
This magazine is a monthly publication.
新刊の本を予約した。
Shinkan no hon o yoyaku shita.
I pre-ordered the new book.
その新聞は日刊です。
Sono shinbun wa nikkan desu.
That newspaper is a daily publication.
会社の広報誌は季刊だ。
Kaisha no kōhōshi wa kikan da.
The company's public relations magazine is a quarterly publication.
彼の最新の小説が来月刊行される予定です。
Kare no saishin no shōsetsu ga raigetsu kankō sareru yotei desu.
His latest novel is scheduled to be published next month.
長年の歴史がある雑誌が今年、創刊から50周年を迎えた。
Naganen no rekishi ga aru zasshi ga kotoshi, sōkan kara gojū shūnen o mukaeta.
The long-standing magazine celebrated its 50th anniversary since its first issue this year.
残念ながら、その漫画シリーズは来月で廃刊となるそうだ。
Zannen nagara, sono manga shirīzu wa raigetsu de haikan to naru sō da.
Unfortunately, I hear that manga series will be discontinued next month.
読者からの要望が多かったため、幻の雑誌が復刊されることになった。
Dokusha kara no yōbō ga ōkatta tame, maboroshi no zasshi ga fukkan sareru koto ni natta.
Due to many requests from readers, the legendary magazine is going to be reissued.
特別な増刊号には、有名な作家の書き下ろし作品が掲載される。
Tokubetsu na zōkangō ni wa, yūmei na sakka no kaki-oroshi sakuhin ga keisai sareru.
The special extra issue will feature an original work by a famous author.
この研究所では、毎年、研究成果をまとめた年刊レポートを発行しています。
Kono kenkyūsho de wa, maitoshi, kenkyū seika o matometa nenkan repōto o hakkō shite imasu.
This research institute publishes an annual report summarizing its research findings every year.
Memory Tip
To remember 刊, consider its components: 干 (kan) and 刀 (tō). Imagine using a sharp knife (刀) to carve information onto a dry (干) piece of wood or bamboo. The act of drying the wood and preparing it with a knife is a vital step before you can publish or issue your message to the world. Therefore, think of it as "using a knife (刀) to prepare a dry (干) surface for publication." This mnemonic connects the visual elements to the core meaning of publishing, making it easier to recall.