The Kanji: 管 (Kan / Kuda)
The kanji 管 (read as kan or kuda) primarily means "pipe," "tube," or "conduit." It is composed of the bamboo radical (竹) and the component 官 (official), reflecting its origin as bamboo tubes used for various purposes. By extension, it also refers to "control," "management," or "jurisdiction," drawing a parallel between the function of a pipe (guiding flow) and administrative control (guiding processes).
Common Words & Example Sentences
1. 管 (kuda)
Meaning: A pipe; a tube.
Example Sentence: 水管が凍ってしまった。
(Suikuda ga kōtte shimatta.)
"The water pipe froze."
2. 管理 (kanri)
Meaning: Management; control; administration.
Example Sentence: 彼はプロジェクトの管理を担当している。
(Kare wa purojekuto no kanri o tantō shite iru.)
"He is in charge of project management."
3. 血管 (kekkan)
Meaning: Blood vessel.
Example Sentence: 血管が浮き出ている。
(Kekkan ga ukidete iru.)
"The blood vessels are visible."
4. 管楽器 (kangakki)
Meaning: Wind instrument.
Example Sentence: 彼は管楽器を演奏する。
(Kare wa kangakki o ensō suru.)
"He plays a wind instrument."
In summary, 管 is a versatile kanji representing both physical conduits like pipes (管) and blood vessels (血管), as well as abstract concepts of control and management (管理). It effectively connects the idea of guiding flow in both material and administrative contexts.