Hello, language learners! Today, we'll explore the kanji 以, an essential character for your JLPT N4 journey. Despite its simple appearance with just five strokes, 以 is remarkably versatile. It frequently appears in common expressions, especially those indicating boundaries, timeframes, or methods. We'll now examine its various aspects.
Meaning
The kanji 以 primarily conveys the idea of 'by means of,' 'with,' or 'from a certain point onward.' It acts like a compass or a ruler, often setting a starting point, a limit, or a condition for something. Think of it as defining a scope or a method.
Its etymological origin offers a fascinating insight! 以 is thought to be a pictograph of a person standing (the left part resembling 人) using a tool or an instrument. The ancient form indeed shows something held or manipulated. This visual connection to 'using' or 'by means of' is fundamental to its meaning. Over time, it evolved into a more abstract particle, indicating a means, reason, or a point of reference. So, while you might not directly see a tool, remember the idea of something being used as a basis or a starting point.
You'll frequently encounter 以 in phrases like 'more than,' 'less than,' 'before,' or 'after' a specific time or place. Its presence helps define the boundaries of quantities, durations, or locations. For example, 以上 means 'more than' or 'above,' literally 'taking this as a starting point and going up.' Similarly, 以後 means 'from now on' or 'hereafter.' This kanji is key to precisely defining the scope of your statements.
This kanji has five strokes and is a Joyo kanji, officially designated for general use. While not taught in elementary school, it's considered secondary school level (Grade S in some systems) and is essential for the JLPT N4.
Readings
On'yomi (音読み) — Chinese-derived readings
The on'yomi of 以 is イ. This reading is by far the most common way you'll encounter 以 in everyday Japanese, especially when it's part of a compound word. It’s almost always used to form nouns or adverbial phrases that define a scope, limit, or time boundary.
- 以外 (igai) — This means 'except,' 'with the exception of,' or 'other than.' It clearly defines what falls outside a given boundary.
例：私は魚以外は何でも食べます。(I eat anything except fish.)
- 以前 (izen) — Meaning 'before,' 'formerly,' or 'previous to.' It marks a point in time from which things happened earlier.
例：彼は以前、ここに住んでいました。(He lived here before.)
- 以上 (ijō) — This compound has a few meanings: 'more than,' 'above,' 'beyond,' or 'from this point on.' It also means 'that's all' when concluding something.
例：この仕事は20歳以上の人ができます。(People 20 years old or older can do this job.)
- 以下 (ika) — The opposite of 以上, meaning 'less than,' 'below,' or 'not exceeding.'
例：体重が50kg以下の人。(A person whose weight is 50kg or less.)
Kun'yomi (訓読み) — Native Japanese readings
The primary kun'yomi for 以 is もっ-て. This reading is less common in modern, everyday spoken Japanese but is crucial for understanding more formal, classical, or literary contexts. When written as 以って, it functions almost like a particle, meaning 'by means of,' 'with,' 'because of,' or 'taking this as.' It emphasizes the instrument, reason, or condition. You might hear it in formal speeches or see it in older texts.
- 以って (motte) — By means of, with, because of (classical/formal usage).
例：力を以って解決する。(To resolve by means of force.)
- 以ての外 (motte no hoka) — An idiom meaning 'outrageous,' 'inexcusable,' or 'unthinkable.' It implies something is beyond what's acceptable.
例：そんなことをするのは以ての外だ。(Doing something like that is outrageous.)
Common Words & Compounds
The kanji 以 is instrumental in forming words related to boundaries, time, and direction. Here are some more common examples, grouped by their themes.
Time & Boundary Related
- 以前 (izen) — before, formerly. This refers to any time before a specific point.
例：大学卒業以前は東京に住んでいました。(Before graduating from university, I lived in Tokyo.)
- 以後 (igo) — after, hereafter, from now on. The opposite of 以前, marking a starting point for future events.
例：本日以後は禁煙です。(Smoking is prohibited from today onward.)
- 以来 (irai) — since, henceforth. Similar to 以後, but often used to describe a continuous state or action starting from a past event.
例：日本に来て以来、寿司が好きになりました。(Since coming to Japan, I've come to like sushi.)
- 以上 (ijō) — more than, above, beyond. Also, 'that's all' or 'the aforementioned.'
例：参加者は100名以上でした。(There were more than 100 participants.)
- 以下 (ika) — less than, below, not exceeding.
例：体重が50kg以下の人。(A person whose weight is 50kg or less.)
- 以内 (inai) — within, inside of. Defines an inner limit.
例：1週間以内に返信してください。(Please reply within one week.)
Directional & Positional
- 以北 (ihoku) — north of, to the north of.
例：この地域は山以北に位置します。(This area is located north of the mountain.)
- 以南 (inan) — south of, to the south of.
例：北海道以南の島々。(Islands south of Hokkaido.)
- 以東 (itou) — east of, to the east of.
例：川以東の土地。(Land east of the river.)
- 以西 (isei) — west of, to the west of.
例：駅以西は商業地です。(West of the station is a commercial area.)
Example Sentences
会議は午前10時以後に始まります。
Kaigi wa gozen jū-ji igo ni hajimarimasu.
The meeting will start after 10 AM.
私はコーヒー以外は何も飲みません。
Watashi wa kōhī igai wa nani mo nomimasen.
I don't drink anything except coffee.
この試験は点数が80点以上であれば合格です。
Kono shiken wa tensū ga hachijutten ijō de areba gōkaku desu.
If your score on this exam is 80 points or more, you pass.
申請は今週中以内にお願いします。
Shinsei wa konshūchū inai ni onegai shimasu.
Please submit your application within this week.
彼が日本に来て以来、毎日日本語を勉強しています。
Kare ga Nihon ni kite irai, mainichi Nihongo o benkyō shite imasu.
Since he came to Japan, he has been studying Japanese every day.
この電車は東京駅以西には止まりません。
Kono densha wa Tōkyō-eki isei ni wa tomarimasen.
This train does not stop west of Tokyo Station.
彼の言動は以ての外だった。
Kare no gendō wa motte no hoka datta.
His behavior was outrageous.
私は大学時代以前に京都へ行ったことがありません。
Watashi wa daigaku-jidai izen ni Kyōto e itta koto ga arimasen.
I had never been to Kyoto before my university days.
お話したいことは以上です。
Ohanashi shitai koto wa ijō desu.
That is all I wanted to talk about.
Related Kanji
- 弟 — Younger Brother, Junior (Kanji N4)
- 黒 — Black, Dark (Kanji N4)
- 洗 — Wash (Kanji N4)
- 短 — Short, brief, defect (Kanji N4)
- 田 — Rice Field (Kanji N4)
- 走 — Run, Move fast (Kanji N4)
Memory Tip
To remember 以, think of it as a person (the left side, resembling 人) standing with their arms crossed or holding something to mark a boundary or a point. Imagine this person declaring, 'From this point forward!' or 'This is the limit!' The horizontal line can represent the boundary itself, whether it's a time, a place, or a quantity. The kanji thus visually represents a person defining a scope or setting a benchmark. This helps connect it to meanings like 'from...onward,' 'more than,' or 'less than.' Picture the person using their wisdom or an invisible tool to establish these parameters.