Meaning
The kanji 絡 (RAKU, karamu) primarily expresses the concepts of entwining, tangling, coiling, involving, and connecting. Its core sense revolves around things being intertwined, either physically like threads, or metaphorically like relationships or problems. It suggests a state where elements are closely bound, interwoven, or linked together, making separation difficult or indicating a mutual relationship.
Like many kanji, 絡 is a phono-semantic compound (形声文字 - keisei moji), meaning it combines a semantic component that hints at its meaning and a phonetic component that suggests its pronunciation. The left-hand radical is 糸 (いとへん - itohen), which means 'thread' or 'silk'. This radical immediately evokes images of weaving, spinning, binding, and entanglement, directly relating to the kanji's core meaning of intertwining and connection. The right-hand component, 各 (かく - kaku), functions as the phonetic element, giving the kanji its On'yomi of RAKU. While 各 itself means 'each' or 'every', in this context, its primary role is to provide the sound. Thus, the meaning of 'thread' combined with the sound 'RAKU' gives us a character strongly associated with the complex intertwining of threads, and by extension, connections and involvements in a broader sense.
The kanji 絡 consists of 12 strokes and is a Jōyō kanji, meaning it's one of the characters designated for general use. While not assigned to a specific elementary school grade, it is typically encountered by learners aiming for the JLPT N3 level, reflecting its moderate complexity and utility in everyday Japanese.
Readings
On'yomi (音読み) — Chinese-derived readings
The On'yomi for 絡 is RAKU (ラク). This reading is derived from Chinese and is predominantly used when 絡 appears as part of a compound word, especially in more formal or abstract contexts. It often appears in words related to connections, communication, or the structure of networks.
- 連絡 (renraku) — contact, communication. This is one of the most common compounds, referring to establishing or maintaining communication.
- 脈絡 (myakuraku) — context, coherence, logical connection. Used to describe the flow or consistency of an argument or story.
Kun'yomi (訓読み) — Native Japanese readings
The Kun'yomi for 絡 are verbs that describe the act of intertwining or involving. These readings are used when 絡 stands alone or is followed by okurigana (送り仮名), which are kana suffixes that are part of the verb conjugation.
からむ (karamu) — to get entangled, to be involved with, to coil around. This verb describes an active process of something getting entwined or someone getting involved in a situation.
紐が絡む (himo ga karamu) — The string gets tangled.
問題に絡む (mondai ni karamu) — To get involved in a problem.
からまる (karamaru) — to become entwined, to get tangled up, to be involved. This is the intransitive form of からむ, describing a state of being tangled or involved.
蔓が木に絡まる (tsuru ga ki ni karamaru) — The vine entwines around the tree.
複雑に絡まる (fukuzatsu ni karamaru) — To be intricately intertwined.
からめる (karameru) — to entangle, to coil around (transitive); to connect. This is the transitive form of the verb, meaning to intentionally entwine or involve something. It can also imply bringing things into connection or incorporating them.
手を絡める (te wo karameru) — To entwine hands.
意見を絡めて話す (iken wo karamete hanasu) — To speak by weaving opinions together.
Common Words & Compounds
The kanji 絡 is frequently used in a variety of contexts, often conveying ideas of connection, communication, or entanglement. Understanding these common compounds is key to mastering 絡.
Communication and Connection
- 連絡 (renraku) — contact, communication. Essential for daily interactions and business.
- 連絡網 (renrakumō) — contact network, communication network. A system for quickly disseminating information.
- 連絡先 (renrakusaki) — contact information. Where one can be reached.
- 連絡手段 (renrakushudan) — means of communication.
Involvement and Relationship
- 係絡 (keiraku) — connection, relation. Often used in legal or official contexts to denote a connection or involvement between entities.
- 絡み (karami) — involvement, entanglement, implication. This noun form is frequently used to describe the nature of a relationship or problem. For example, 金銭絡み (kinsen karami) means 'money-related involvement'.
- 話が絡む (hanashi ga karamu) — for a story or topic to be intertwined or complicated.
Physical Entanglement
- 絡合 (rakugō) — intertwining, interlacing. Describes the physical act of things getting tangled together.
- 絡繰 (karakuri) — mechanism, gimmick, device with interconnected parts. Refers to intricate mechanical devices.
Abstract Connections
- 脈絡 (myakuraku) — context, coherence, logical connection. Refers to the underlying thread or consistency in an argument or narrative.
- 絡線 (rakusen) — connecting wire, line. A more technical term for physical connections.
Example Sentences
ご連絡ありがとうございます。
Go renraku arigatō gozaimasu.
Thank you for your contact/message.
糸が複雑に絡まってしまった。
Ito ga fukuzatsu ni karamatte shimatta.
The thread got intricately tangled up.
問題に絡まないように注意してください。
Mondai ni karamanai yō ni chūi shite kudasai.
Please be careful not to get involved in trouble.
彼はいつも色々なことに絡みたがる。
Kare wa itsumo iroiro na koto ni karamitagaru.
He always wants to get involved in various things.
二国間の関係は複雑に絡み合っている。
Nikokukan no kankei wa fukuzatsu ni karamiatte iru.
The relationship between the two countries is intricately intertwined.
この事件には複数の人物が絡んでいる。
Kono jiken ni wa fukusū no jinbutsu ga karande iru.
Several people are involved in this incident.
新しい事業の詳細について、後ほどご連絡します。
Atarashii jigyō no shōsai ni tsuite, nochi hodo go renraku shimasu.
I will contact you later regarding the details of the new project.
この小説には、愛と裏切りが複雑に絡み合っている。
Kono shōsetsu ni wa, ai to uragiri ga fukuzatsu ni karamiatte iru.
Love and betrayal are intricately intertwined in this novel.
Memory Tip
To remember 絡, focus on its components. The left part, 糸 (いとへん - itohen), clearly means 'thread' or 'silk'. Think of threads that can easily get tangled, twisted, or woven together. The right part, 各 (かく - kaku), means 'each' or 'every' and acts as the phonetic component, guiding you to the On'yomi RAKU. Imagine 'each' and 'every' thread being woven or tangled together. You could visualize 'each' thread (各) being meticulously 'tied' or 'tangled' (絡む) with other 'threads' (糸). This visual of many individual threads coming together to form a complex, intertwined structure—whether a knot or a connection—perfectly captures the kanji's essence: entwinement, involvement, and connection.