Meaning
The kanji 完 (kan) conveys a sense of "completion," "perfection," and "finish." It suggests that something has reached its final, unimpaired state, with nothing left to add or improve. Essentially, when you see 完, think of something thoroughly done, whole, and without deficiency.
The kanji 完 originated as a phono-semantic compound. The top component, 宀 (ukenmuri), represents a roof or a building, suggesting enclosure or a defined space. The bottom component, 元 (gen), originally depicted a person with a head and later evolved to mean "origin" or "beginning." In this context, however, 元 also served as a phonetic component, conveying a sense of "roundness" or "fullness." Together, these elements paint a picture of a house or structure that is fully covered and intact, symbolizing completeness and integrity. This visual connection aptly illustrates its modern meanings of being complete or perfect.
This kanji has 7 strokes and is taught in Grade 4 of elementary school in Japan. This makes it a relatively common and foundational character for expressing ideas of finality and totality.
Readings
On'yomi (音読み) — Chinese-derived readings
The primary On'yomi reading for 完 is カン (kan). This reading is derived from Chinese and is almost exclusively used when 完 forms part of a compound word with other kanji. It carries a strong sense of achievement, finality, or absolute state.
- 完成 (kansei) — completion, accomplishment, perfection. This term is frequently used for projects, buildings, or works of art that have been brought to their final, finished state. For example, a newly built house can be said to be 完成した (kansei shita), meaning it has been completed.
- 完全 (kanzen) — perfection, completeness, integrity. This compound emphasizes a state of being flawless or entirely whole. You might describe a perfect plan as 完全な計画 (kanzen na keikaku).
- 完了 (kanryou) — completion, conclusion, termination. Often used for tasks, procedures, or processes that have come to an end. For instance, a task could be marked as 完了 (kanryou) once it's done.
Kun'yomi (訓読み) — Native Japanese readings
The main Kun'yomi reading for 完 is まっと(うする) (matto-suru), which you'll find in the verb 全うする (mattou suru). This verb means "to fulfill," "to accomplish," "to carry out fully," or "to live out one's life fully." While 完 doesn't typically use this reading on its own, it embodies the core meaning of completion and fulfillment within this expression.
- 任務を全うする (ninmu wo mattou suru) — to fulfill one's duty, to carry out one's mission completely. This phrase implies successfully seeing a responsibility through to its end.
- 人生を全うする (jinsei wo mattou suru) — to live out one's life fully, to complete one's life. This expression is used to convey the idea of living a full and complete life until its natural end.
Common Words & Compounds
The kanji 完 is highly versatile and appears in many common Japanese words, primarily in its On'yomi reading. These compounds often revolve around the themes of achievement, state of being, and commercial activities.
Concepts of Completion and Perfection
- 完成 (kansei) — completion, accomplishment. (e.g., プロジェクトの完成: completion of a project)
- 完全 (kanzen) — perfection, completeness, integrity. (e.g., 完全な勝利: a perfect victory)
- 完了 (kanryou) — completion, conclusion, termination. (e.g., 登録完了: registration complete)
- 完璧 (kanpeki) — perfect, flawless. (e.g., 完璧な演技: a flawless performance)
Commercial and Economic Context
- 完売 (kanbai) — sold out. (e.g., チケットは完売した: the tickets sold out)
- 完納 (kannou) — full payment, completion of delivery/payment. (e.g., 税金を完納する: to pay taxes in full)
Literature and Media
- 完結 (kanketsu) — conclusion (of a series, story), bringing to an end. (e.g., シリーズ完結: series conclusion)
- 完訳 (kanyaku) — complete translation. (e.g., 完訳版: a complete translated edition)
Effort and Endurance
- 完走 (kansou) — finishing a race, running the whole course. (e.g., マラソンを完走する: to complete a marathon)
- 完投 (kantou) — pitching a complete game (baseball). (e.g., 完投勝利: a complete game victory)
- 未完 (mikan) — incomplete, unfinished. (e.g., 未完の作品: an unfinished work)
Example Sentences
このアニメシリーズは、今週で完結します。
Kono anime shiriizu wa, konshuu de kanketsu shimasu.
This anime series concludes this week.
新しい建物は、予定通りに完成しました。
Atarashii tatemono wa, yoteidoori ni kansei shimashita.
The new building was completed as scheduled.
彼の計画は、ほとんど完璧に実行された。
Kare no keikaku wa, hotondo kanpeki ni jikkou sareta.
His plan was almost perfectly executed.
人気のコンサートチケットは、すぐに完売になった。
Ninki no konsaato chiketto wa, sugu ni kanbai ni natta.
The popular concert tickets sold out quickly.
彼女はフルマラソンを完走し、自分を誇りに思った。
Kanojo wa furu marason wo kansou shi, jibun wo hokori ni omotta.
She completed the full marathon and felt proud of herself.
報告書の作成が完了したので、提出できます。
Houkokusho no sakusei ga kanryou shita node, teishutsu dekimasu.
Since the report creation is complete, I can submit it.
完全な準備がなければ、成功は難しい。
Kanzen na junbi ga nakereba, seikou wa muzukashii.
Without complete preparation, success is difficult.
彼は一生懸命働き、その人生を全うした。
Kare wa isshoukenmei hataraki, sono jinsei wo mattou shita.
He worked hard and lived his life to the fullest.
未完の作品は、いつか完成するだろうか。
Mikan no sakuhin wa, itsuka kansei suru darou ka.
Will the unfinished work ever be completed?
Memory Tip
To remember the kanji 完, picture a house (宀, the roof radical) perfectly built from its origin or beginning (元). The roof completely covers everything, leaving no part exposed or unfinished. This image symbolizes a structure that is flawless and entirely finished. For the pronunciation, the 'kan' sound can evoke a 'can' of soda that is 'complete' when full and sealed.