Meaning
The kanji 全 (ぜん) conveys the idea of "whole," "entire," "all," or "complete." While not a direct pictograph, its visual structure ideographically represents this concept.
It is composed of two main parts. The top component resembles 入 (いり or いる), meaning "enter" or "put in." In this context, it's often interpreted as a roof, a covering, or even a person. The bottom component is 王 (おう), meaning "king" or "ruler." This character often conveys a sense of perfection, authority, or encompassing power.
One common interpretation for 全 is that it symbolically represents "a king's (王) dominion covering all (入, as a roof or entering everything)," thereby signifying "the entirety" or "the whole." Another perspective views the top as a stylized form of 「人」 (person) or a representation of "every" or "each." Combined with 「王」, this denotes "all people" or "everything under one rule," leading to the meaning of "whole" or "complete."
Regardless of its exact ancient derivation, the modern kanji powerfully conveys inclusiveness and totality. It's a fundamental building block in Japanese, expressing completeness in various contexts—from objects and groups to states and actions.
With 6 strokes, this kanji is taught in Grade 3 of elementary school. Its high frequency and broad applicability make it one of the earlier kanji Japanese students learn.
Readings
On'yomi (音読み) — Chinese-derived readings
The primary on'yomi for 全 is ゼン (ZEN). This Chinese-derived reading is common in compound words, appearing in both formal and technical contexts, as well as everyday vocabulary. It consistently retains the meaning of "all," "whole," or "complete."
- 全部 (zenbu) — all, the whole lot, everything. This refers to every part of something, implying nothing is left out. For example, 全部終わった (zenbu owatta) means "everything is finished," or 全部食べた (zenbu tabeta) means "I ate everything."
- 全国 (zenkoku) — the whole country, nationwide. It implies something encompassing the entire nation, such as 全国大会 (zenkoku taikai), a national tournament. Another example is 全国旅行 (zenkoku ryokō), a trip around the whole country.
- 安全 (anzen) — safety, security. Here, 全 contributes to the meaning of "complete peace" or "being entirely free from danger." It's a crucial term in daily life and various industries.
- 全体 (zentai) — whole, entirety, total. This refers to a whole entity or structure. For instance, 全体像 (zentaizō) means "the whole picture" or "complete image," and 全体のバランス (zentai no baransu) refers to "overall balance."
Kun'yomi (訓読み) — Native Japanese readings
Kun'yomi readings link 全 to native Japanese words carrying similar meanings of "all" or "complete." The most common are すべて (subete) and まったく (mattaku), plus the verb form まっとう (mattō).
全て (subete) — all, every, the whole. This reading often appears in hiragana (すべて) or as 全て. It functions as a noun or adverb, indicating totality.
全ての物 (subete no mono) — all things, everything.
全てを話す (subete o hanasu) — to tell everything.
全く (mattaku) — entirely, truly, completely, indeed. As an adverb, it emphasizes completeness or absolute truth/falsehood. It's frequently used to express strong agreement or negation.
全くその通りだ (mattaku sono tōri da) — That's absolutely right.
全くわからない (mattaku wakaranai) — I don't understand at all.
全うする (mattō suru) — to fulfill, to accomplish, to complete. This verb, typically written with the okurigana う, is used when completing a duty, life, or task properly and thoroughly.
義務を全うする (gimu o mattō suru) — to fulfill one's duty.
人生を全うする (jinsei o mattō suru) — to live out one's life fully, to complete one's life.
Common Words & Compounds
The kanji 全 is vital in forming numerous Japanese words across various categories, emphasizing totality, completeness, or universality. Here are some key examples:
Quantification and Scope
- 全部 (zenbu) — all; everything; the whole lot. (e.g., 全部食べた (zenbu tabeta) - ate everything)
- 全員 (zen'in) — all members; the entire staff/group. (e.g., 全員出席 (zen'in shusseki) - all members present)
- 全国 (zenkoku) — the whole country; nationwide. (e.g., 全国的な組織 (zenkoku-teki na soshiki) - a nationwide organization)
- 全体 (zentai) — whole; entirety; total. (e.g., 全体のバランス (zentai no baransu) - overall balance)
- 全般 (zenpan) — whole; general; entire. (e.g., 業務全般 (gyōmu zenpan) - general business operations)
State and Condition
- 安全 (anzen) — safety; security. (e.g., 安全第一 (anzen daiichi) - safety first)
- 完全 (kanzen) — perfect; complete; flawless. (e.g., 完全な解決策 (kanzen na kaiketsusaku) - a complete solution)
- 全力 (zenryoku) — all one's strength; full power. (e.g., 全力を尽す (zenryoku o tsukusu) - to do one's best/put in all one's strength)
Time and Duration
- 全日 (zenjitsu) — all day; full day. (e.g., 全日勤務 (zenjitsu kinmu) - full-day work)
Adverbs and Verbs
- 全く (mattaku) — entirely; truly; completely; indeed. (e.g., 彼は私と全く同じだ (kare wa watashi to mattaku onaji da) - He is exactly like me.)
- 全うする (mattō suru) — to fulfill; to accomplish; to complete. (e.g., 役目を全うする (yakume o mattō suru) - to fulfill one's role)
Example Sentences
私は全部の宿題を終えました。
Watashi wa zenbu no shukudai o oemashita.
I finished all my homework.
家族全員で旅行に行きました。
Kazoku zen'in de ryokō ni ikimashita.
The entire family went on a trip.
日本全国でこの歌がヒットしています。
Nihon zenkoku de kono uta ga hitto shiteimasu.
This song is a hit all over Japan.
子供たちの安全を守るのが私たちの役目です。
Kodomo-tachi no anzen o mamoru no ga watashitachi no yakume desu.
Our role is to protect the safety of children.
彼は自分の能力を全く理解していません。
Kare wa jibun no nōryoku o mattaku rikai shiteimasen.
He doesn't understand his own abilities at all.
彼女は目標を全く達成しました。
Kanojo wa mokuhyō o mattaku tassei shimashita.
She completely achieved her goal.
新しい計画の全体像がまだ見えません。
Atarashii keikaku no zentaizō ga mada miemasen.
I can't yet see the whole picture of the new plan.
私は試験のために全力を尽しました。
Watashi wa shiken no tame ni zenryoku o tsukushimashita.
I gave my all for the exam.
君の人生を全うしてほしいと思います。
Kimi no jinsei o mattō shite hoshii to omoimasu.
I hope you live your life to the fullest.
彼の話は全く興味深かった。
Kare no hanashi wa mattaku kyōmi-bukakatta.
His story was completely interesting.
Memory Tip
To remember 全, imagine a person (represented by the top part resembling 「人」 or 入 for "entering") striving to become a king (王, the bottom part). To reach this goal, they must be "complete" and "whole" in their abilities, leadership, and character.
Alternatively, visualize a "king" (王) ruling "all" (the top part as a simplified 'everything'). The kanji visually suggests encompassing everything under a single authority, or achieving perfect completeness.
The top strokes also resemble a roof or covering. Picture a king's palace covering the "whole" land. Or, consider a person (人) entering (入) to become a king (王), thereby completing their destiny to rule over all.