Meaning
The kanji 整 is incredibly versatile, encapsulating a broad spectrum of meanings related to 'order,' 'arrangement,' 'adjustment,' and 'completion.' Essentially, 整 conveys the idea of bringing something into a proper, tidy, or finished state. Whether you're arranging your room, adjusting a schedule, or preparing for a significant event, this kanji is frequently used.
Historically, the kanji's structure offers insights into its meaning. The upper part, 斉 (せい), evokes uniformity or equality, often depicting objects lined up or made even. The lower-right component, 攴 (ぼく), a variant of 殳, represents an action like striking or tapping with a tool. Together, these elements suggest the deliberate act of using a tool or an action to achieve uniformity, evenness, or order. It's about 'shaping' or 'modifying' something until it's 'just right' or 'complete.'
This kanji helps you describe a wide array of situations: from the neatness of a room to the proper functioning of machinery, or the completion of preparations. It's a character that truly highlights the process of making things 'whole' or 'correct.' The kanji 整 has 16 strokes and is part of the curriculum for 6th graders in Japanese elementary school.
Readings
On'yomi (音読み) — Chinese-derived readings
The On'yomi reading of 整 is セイ (SEI). This reading is frequently found in compound words, particularly in more formal or technical contexts. It often refers to actions or states of 'organization,' 'adjustment,' 'preparation,' or 'completeness.'
- 整理 (seiri) — This word means 'organization,' 'arrangement,' or 'tidying up.' It applies to various situations, from sorting out your belongings to organizing data. For example, 部屋を整理する (へやをせいりする) means to tidy up a room.
- 調整 (chōsei) — This compound means 'adjustment,' 'regulation,' or 'coordination.' It's often used when fine-tuning something, like adjusting a machine or coordinating schedules. For instance, 時間を調整する (じかんをちょうせいする) means to adjust the time.
- 整備 (seibi) — Meaning 'maintenance,' 'servicing,' or 'setup.' This term is frequently applied to vehicles, equipment, or systems. 車を整備する (くるまをせいびする) means to service a car.
- 整数 (seisū) — This is the mathematical term for 'integer' or 'whole number.' It literally means a 'complete' or 'whole' number, without fractions or decimals.
Kun'yomi (訓読み) — Native Japanese readings
The Kun'yomi readings for 整 are ととのえる (totono-eru) and ととのう (totono-u).
ととのえる (totono-eru) — This is a transitive verb, meaning 'to arrange,' 'to prepare,' 'to get ready,' or 'to put in order.' You actively do something to make it orderly or complete.
服装を整える (fukusō o totoneru) — to tidy one's clothing or dress properly.
準備を整える (junbi o totoneru) — to make preparations or get ready.
書斎を整える (shosai o totoneru) — to arrange or tidy one's study room.
ととのう (totono-u) — This is an intransitive verb, meaning 'to be arranged,' 'to be in order,' 'to be prepared,' or 'to be complete.' It describes a state where things are already tidy or ready.
準備が整う (junbi ga totonou) — preparations are complete or ready.
部屋が整っている (heya ga totonotte iru) — the room is tidy or in order.
条件が整う (jōken ga totonou) — conditions are met or in place.
Common Words & Compounds
The kanji 整 forms numerous useful compound words, applicable in everything from daily life to technical fields. Grasping these compounds will significantly enrich your vocabulary related to order, arrangement, and adjustment.
- 整理 (seiri) — Organization, arrangement, tidying up. This is a fundamental concept in both physical and digital spaces. For instance, you might 情報を整理する (jōhō o seiri suru), meaning to organize information.
- 整頓 (seiton) — Tidiness, orderliness, putting things in their proper place. Often used together with 整理 as 整理整頓 (せいりせいとん) to emphasize a clean and organized environment.
- 調整 (chōsei) — Adjustment, regulation, coordination. Essential for anything that needs fine-tuning, like 音量を調整する (おんりょうをちょうせいする - adjust the volume).
- 整備 (seibi) — Maintenance, servicing, preparation. Crucial for keeping equipment, vehicles, or infrastructure in good working order, such as 道路の整備 (どうろのせいび - road maintenance).
- 整然 (seizen) — Orderly, regular, systematic. Often used with と as an adverb, like 整然と並ぶ (せいぜんとならぶ - to be lined up neatly).
- 均整 (kinsei) — Symmetry, balance. Describes a state where elements are evenly proportioned or balanced, for example, 顔の均整 (かおのきんせい - facial symmetry).
- 整数 (seisū) — Integer, whole number. A foundational term in mathematics.
- 整髪料 (seihatsuryō) — Hair styling product. This shows the kanji's use in preparing one's appearance.
- 体制 (taisei) — System, structure, organization. Refers to the established structure of an organization, government, or society.
- 整列 (seiretsu) — Standing in a line, alignment. Often used when people line up in an orderly fashion, for instance, 整列してください (せいれつしてください - please line up).
- 身支度を整える (mijitaku o totoneru) — To get dressed, to prepare oneself for going out. A common everyday phrase.
- 呼吸を整える (kokyū o totoneru) — To regulate one's breathing. Useful in sports, meditation, or when calming down.
Example Sentences
部屋を毎日整えるようにしています。
Heya o mainichi totoneru yō ni shite imasu.
I try to tidy up my room every day.
出発の前に、荷物の整理が必要です。
Shuppatsu no mae ni, nimotsu no seiri ga hitsuyō desu.
Before departure, organizing the luggage is necessary.
チームの体制を新たに整えました。
Chīmu no taisei o arata ni totonoemashita.
We re-established the team's structure.
引越しのために、大量の本を整理して整頓しました。
Hikkoshi no tame ni, tairyō no hon o seiri shite seiton shimashita.
For the move, I sorted and organized a large number of books.
カメラの設定を細かく調整する必要があります。
Kamera no settei o komakaku chōsei suru hitsuyō ga arimasu.
I need to finely adjust the camera settings.
会場は整然と椅子が並べられていました。
Kaijō wa seizen to isu ga naraberarete imashita.
Chairs were neatly arranged in the venue.
レポートを提出する前に、内容をよく整えましょう。
Repōto o teishutsu suru mae ni, naiyō o yoku totonoemashō.
Before submitting the report, let's properly organize its content.
新しい計画のための環境がようやく整いました。
Atarashii keikaku no tame no kankyō ga yōyaku totonouimashita.
The environment for the new project has finally been set up.
試合の前に、呼吸を整えてリラックスしました。
Shiai no mae ni, kokyū o totonoete rirakkusu shimashita.
Before the match, I regulated my breathing and relaxed.
この機械は定期的な整備が必要です。
Kono kikai wa teikiteki na seibi ga hitsuyō desu.
This machine requires regular maintenance.
Memory Tip
To remember 整, let's analyze its components! The top part, 斉 (せい), visually suggests a row of objects standing equally or uniformly, perhaps even representing people aligned 'together.' The bottom-right component, 攴 (ぼく), means 'to strike' or 'to tap,' implying an action carried out with a tool. Imagine a meticulous craftsman carefully tapping or striking (攴) elements to ensure they are perfectly uniform and equal (斉). This precise action brings everything into an arranged, adjusted, and orderly state. It's about putting things into a proper, finished condition with careful effort. The 'sei' sound in 斉 also provides a useful phonetic hint for the On'yomi reading!