含 — Include, Contain, Hold

Meaning

Welcome, Japanese learners! Today, we're exploring a highly practical and versatile kanji: 含 (がん, ふくむ, ふくめる). This N2 kanji primarily means "to include," "to contain," or "to hold (in the mouth)." You'll encounter it frequently as you advance in your Japanese studies, particularly in formal writing, scientific texts, and when discussing abstract concepts of inclusion.

We'll now delve into its visual story. The kanji 含 is composed of two main parts. The bottom component, 口 (kuchi), represents a "mouth." Above it sits 今 (ima), which typically means "now" or "present." However, in this context, 今 also carries an ancient sense of "to contain" or "to hold." So, you can literally visualize 含 as a "mouth (口) containing something (今)."

Imagine holding water, food, or even a secret in your mouth right now. This combination vividly conveys the kanji's core idea of internalizing or encompassing something. It's about having something inside or as part of something else. This can be physical, like liquid in a mouth, or abstract, like a statement holding a hidden meaning.

This kanji has 7 strokes, making it relatively simple to write once you practice it a few times. As a Jōyō kanji, it's typically learned around the 8th grade in Japan, highlighting its importance and wide-ranging usage.

Readings

Like many kanji, 含 has both On'yomi (Chinese-derived readings) and Kun'yomi (native Japanese readings). Familiarity with both will greatly enhance your comprehension!

On'yomi (音読み) — Chinese-derived readings

The primary On'yomi for 含 is ガン (GAN). This reading is typically used when 含 forms part of a compound word. You'll find it in more formal or abstract expressions, especially when discussing the composition or underlying meaning of something.

• 含有がんゆう (ganyuu) — meaning 'content' or 'inclusion' (e.g., the content of a substance).

• このこ食品しょくひんは豊富ほうふなビタミンを含有がんゆうしている。

(This food product contains abundant vitamins.)

• 包含ほうがん (hougan) — meaning 'inclusion,' 'comprehension,' or 'encompassment.' It implies something being entirely included within another, often used for broader concepts.

• このこコンセプトは多おおくの意味いみを包含ほうがんしている。

(This concept encompasses many meanings.)

• 含蓄がんちく (ganchiku) — meaning 'implication,' 'hidden meaning,' or 'connotation.' This refers to a deeper, often unstated, meaning or significance.

• 彼かれの言葉ことばには深ふかい含蓄がんちくがあった。

(His words had deep implications.)

Kun'yomi (訓読み) — Native Japanese readings

The Kun'yomi readings for 含 are especially important as they frequently appear as standalone verbs or in verb conjugations, capturing nuances of native Japanese expressions.

• ふくむ (fukumu) — This is a transitive verb meaning "to include," "to contain," "to hold in the mouth," or "to bear (a grudge, emotion)." It implies that the subject holds or has something within itself, either literally or figuratively.

• 口くちに水みずを含ふくむ (kuchi ni mizu wo fukumu) — to hold water in one's mouth.

• 彼かれの発言はつげんは皮肉ひにくを含ふくんでいた。(His remark contained sarcasm.)

• 希望きぼうを含ふくんだ目め (kibou wo fukunda me) — eyes filled with hope.

• ふくめる (fukumeru) — This is also a transitive verb, meaning "to include (someone or something)," or "to make sure to include." While similar to ふくむ, ふくめる often emphasizes the act of deliberately adding something to a larger whole, or ensuring its inclusion.

• 全員ぜんいんを含ふくめる (zen'in wo fukumeru) — to include everyone.

• 彼かれを含ふくめて (kare wo fukumete) — including him (e.g., when counting people).

• 重要じゅうような点てんを含ふくめて説明せつめいする (juuyou na ten wo fukumete setsumei suru) — to explain, including the important points.

Common Words & Compounds

Now, we'll delve into more common words and compounds using 含. You'll quickly see how this kanji effectively conveys ideas of content, inclusion, and even nuanced emotions in various situations.

Words related to 'Content & Composition'

• 含水量がんすいりょう (gansuiryou) — water content

この土壌どじょうは含水量がんすいりょうが高たかい。

(This soil has a high water content.)

• 含有率がんゆうりつ (ganyuuritsu) — content rate, percentage contained

製品せいひんのビタミン含有率がんゆうりつを確認かくにんしてください。

(Please check the vitamin content percentage of the product.)

• 多糖類たとうるいを含ふくむ (tatourui wo fukumu) — to contain polysaccharides

多おおくの植物しょくぶつは食物繊維しょくもつせんいとして多糖類たとうるいを含ふくみます。

(Many plants contain polysaccharides as dietary fiber.)

• 含鉄がんてつ (gantetsu) — containing iron, ferruginous

含鉄鉱物がんてつこうぶつは地球ちきゅうに広ひろく分布ぶんぷしている。

(Ferruginous minerals are widely distributed on Earth.)

Words related to 'Meaning & Emotion'

• 含意がんい (gan'i) — implication, hidden meaning

彼かれの言動げんどうには深ふかい含意がんいがある。

(His words and actions have deep implications.)

• 含ふくみ笑わらい (fukumiwarai) — suppressed laughter, chuckle

彼女かのじょは恥はずかしそうに含ふくみ笑わらいをした。

(She chuckled shyly.)

• 含ふくみ持もつ (fukumimotsu) — to possess, to contain (an abstract quality or characteristic)

彼かれは独特どくとくの含ふくみ持もった魅力みりょくがある。

(He possesses a unique, subtle charm.)

• 含羞がんしゅう (ganshuu) — shyness, bashfulness (often used poetically or in compounds like 含羞草おじぎそう - mimosa)

彼女かのじょの含羞がんしゅうが、さらに彼女かのじょを魅力みりょくあるものにしている。

(Her shyness makes her even more charming.)

Practical & Miscellaneous Uses

• 含ふくませる (fukumaseru) — to cause to contain, to make something absorb (liquid), to soak

スポンジすぽんじに水みずを含ふくませる。

(To soak a sponge with water.)

• 全員ぜんいんを含ふくめて (zen'in wo fukumete) — including everyone

子供こどもを含ふくめて、家族かぞくで旅行りょこうに行いった。

(The whole family went on a trip, including the children.)

• 含嗽薬がんそうやく (gansouyaku) — gargle medicine

喉のどが痛いたいので、含嗽薬がんそうやくを使つかった。

(My throat hurt, so I used gargle medicine.)

• 内包ないほう (naihou) — inclusion, connotation (often philosophical or logical)

民主主義みんしゅしゅぎは自由じゆうと平等びょうどうという理念りねんを内包ないほうしている。

(Democracy entails the ideals of freedom and equality.)

Example Sentences

Here are some example sentences showcasing 含 in action! Pay close attention to how ふくむふくむ and ふくめるふくめる are used, and in what contexts ガンガン appears in compounds.

Memory Tip

To remember 含, recall its components: 口 (mouth) and 今 (now/present). Picture yourself holding something in your mouth right now. Perhaps it's a delicious piece of candy you're not allowed to eat yet, so you're discreetly containing it. Or maybe it's a secret you're holding (containing) in your mind, keeping it to yourself. This vivid image of the mouth actively containing or including something will help you remember the core meanings of "include, contain, hold."