安 — Peace, Cheap, Safe

Meaning

The kanji 安 (An) is a key character in Japanese, primarily meaning "peace," "cheap," and "safe." It captures feelings of tranquility and security, as well as affordability. For example, 安い (yasui) means inexpensive. If you feel 安心 (anshin), you are relieved and at peace. This character's double meaning—describing both a state of being (peaceful, safe) and a quality (cheap)—makes 安 widely used and important.

The etymology of 安 is quite insightful. It's an ideograph, a character that visually represents an idea. The upper part, 宀 (ukanmuri), depicts a roof or a house. The lower part, 女 (onna), symbolizes a woman. So, the kanji shows a woman under a roof. This imagery historically conveyed peace, safety, and stability; a woman in her home was seen as secure and tranquil. This ancient visual directly connects to the modern meanings of peace and safety. Later, 安 also came to mean "cheap" or "easy." One theory is that a safe and stable situation might also be easy to achieve or manage, or that a peaceful mind isn't burdened by high expenses. The kanji 安 has 6 strokes and is taught in the third grade, making it important for JLPT N5 students.

Readings

On'yomi (音読み) — Chinese-derived readings

The On'yomi (音読み), or Chinese-derived reading, for 安 is アン (An). You'll typically find this reading in compound words, especially when 安 is paired with other kanji of Chinese origin. This アン reading usually relates to peace, safety, or stability.

安心あんしん (anshin) — relief; peace of mind. This compound expresses relief from worry or anxiety. For example, 「安心してください。」 (Anshin shite kudasai.) means "Please rest assured."
安全あんぜん (anzen) — safety; security. This term broadly describes situations, places, or conditions free from danger. For instance, 「安全第一」 (Anzen daiichi) means "Safety first."
安定あんてい (antei) — stability; steadiness. This describes a steady and consistent state, resistant to disturbance. It can apply to physical, economic, or emotional situations.

Kun'yomi (訓読み) — Native Japanese readings

The Kun'yomi (訓読み), or native Japanese readings, for 安 include やす-い (yasui), やす-まる (yasumaru), and やす-らか (yasuraka). These readings appear when the kanji stands alone or is followed by hiragana (okurigana), often forming adjectives or verbs.

安いやすい (yasui) — cheap; inexpensive. This common adjective describes something inexpensive or low in cost. For example, 「これはとても安いです。」 (Kore wa totemo yasui desu.) means "This is very cheap."
安まるやすまる (yasumaru) — to be rested; to feel at ease. This verb describes the act of becoming peaceful or feeling at ease. For instance, 「心が安まる」 (kokoro ga yasumaru) means "one's mind is at peace."
安らかやすらか (yasuraka) — peaceful; tranquil; calm. This na-adjective describes a state of deep peace or serenity. It's often used for things like peaceful sleep or a peaceful passing.

Common Words & Compounds

The kanji 安 appears in many common and useful Japanese words, covering a wide range of meanings from cost to tranquility.

Related to Peace and Safety:
安心あんしん (anshin) — relief; peace of mind
安全あんぜん (anzen) — safety; security
安定あんてい (antei) — stability; steadiness
安眠あんみん (anmin) — peaceful sleep
安楽あんらく (anraku) — ease; comfort; peacefulness
安否あんぴ (anpi) — safety; well-being (e.g., asking about someone's safety)
Related to Price and Cost:
安いやすい (yasui) — cheap; inexpensive
安物やすもの (yasumono) — cheap article; bargain item
安売りやすうり (yasuuri) — bargain sale; selling cheap
安宿やすやど (yasuyado) — cheap inn; inexpensive lodging
安価あんか (anka) — low price; cheapness
安直あんちょく (anchoku) — cheap; inexpensive; easy; simple
Related to General State/Condition:
安易あんい (an'i) — easy; simple; careless
安堵あんど (ando) — relief; reassurance

Example Sentences

この店みせの野菜やさいはいつも安やすいです。

Kono mise no yasai wa itsumo yasui desu.

The vegetables at this store are always cheap.

試験しけんが終おわって、とても安心あんしんしました。

Shiken ga owatte, totemo anshin shimashita.

I felt very relieved after the exam finished.

子供こどもたちの安全あんぜんが最優先さいゆうせんです。

Kodomotachi no anzen ga saiyūsen desu.

The safety of children is the highest priority.

疲つかれた心こころが家いえで安やすまる。

Tsukareta kokoro ga ie de yasumaru.

A tired mind finds peace at home.

安やすらかな気持きもちで眠ねむりにつきました。

Yasuraka na kimochi de nemuri ni tsukimashita.

I fell into a peaceful sleep.

彼かれは安定あんていした仕事しごとを見みつけました。

Kare wa antei shita shigoto o mitsukemashita.

He found a stable job.

災害時さいがいじには、まず家族かぞくの安否あんぴを確認かくにんします。

Saigaiji ni wa, mazu kazoku no anpi o kakunin shimasu.

In times of disaster, first confirm the safety of your family.

安価あんかな製品せいひんでも品質ひんしつが良よいものもあります。

Anka na seihin demo hinshitsu ga yoi mono mo arimasu.

Even cheap products can sometimes be of good quality.

安楽あんらくな生活せいかつを送おくりたいと願ねがっています。

Anraku na seikatsu o okuritai to negatte imasu.

I wish to lead a comfortable and peaceful life.

工事現場こうじげんばでは、ヘルメットで頭あたまを安全あんぜんに守まもりましょう。

Kōjigenba de wa, herumetto de atama o anzen ni mamorimashō.

At construction sites, let's protect our heads safely with helmets.

Related Kanji

Memory Tip

To remember the kanji 安, recall its ancient origins: a woman (女) peacefully under a roof (宀). Picture a cozy, safe home where someone feels calm and secure. This visual links directly to the meanings of "peace," "safe," and "relaxed." To connect to the "cheap" meaning, you might imagine a peaceful home as one with low living expenses, making life easy and affordable. This simple image offers a powerful way to remember all of its main meanings.