1. Kanji Breakdown: 王
This kanji represents a fundamental concept of leadership and sovereignty.
Meaning: King, monarch, ruler, sovereign. It signifies the supreme leader of a country or the best in a particular field.
Reading:
Onyomi (Sino-Japanese reading): オウ (ou)
Kunyomi (Native Japanese reading): None in common modern use.
The etymology of "王" is pictographic. It is thought to represent an axe head (斤). In ancient times, the axe was a symbol of executive power and punishment, and the person who wielded this authority was the king. The character evolved into its current form, where the three horizontal strokes represent heaven, man, and earth, with the vertical stroke connecting them, symbolizing the king's role as the intermediary who unifies all three realms.
2. Stroke Order and Writing
Learning the correct stroke order is crucial for balanced and beautiful kanji. "王" is a simple but important character with 4 strokes.
Here is the stroke order diagram and explanation:
Total Strokes: 4
The first horizontal stroke. (From left to right)
The second horizontal stroke. (Just below the first, from left to right)
The vertical stroke. (A straight line down the center, cutting through the first two horizontals)
The final, bottom horizontal stroke. (The longest stroke, from left to right)
Key Writing Tips:
Write from top to bottom.
The first two horizontal strokes should be of similar length.
The final horizontal stroke is the longest and provides a stable base for the character, giving it a "crowned" appearance.
The central vertical stroke should be straight and centered, symbolizing the king's pivotal role.
3. Vocabulary and Example Sentences
Here are some common words using "王" and how to use them in sentences.
Vocabulary
王 (おう, ou)
Meaning: King, monarch.
Example: その王は国を五十年間治めた。
Romaji: Sono ō wa kuni o gojūnenkan osameta.
English: That king ruled the country for fifty years.
王国 (おうこく, ōkoku)
Meaning: Kingdom.
Example: 子供の頃、魔法の王国の話に夢中だった。
Romaji: Kodomo no koro, mahō no ōkoku no hanashi ni muchū datta.
English: When I was a child, I was fascinated by stories of magical kingdoms.
王女 (おうじょ, ōjo)
Meaning: Princess (literally, "king's daughter").
Example: 王女の役を演じるのは彼女の夢だ。
Romaji: Ōjo no yaku o enjiru no wa kanojo no yume da.
English: It is her dream to play the role of a princess.
王者 (おうじゃ, ōja)
Meaning: Champion, king, the best in a field.
Example: 彼はテニス界の王者として君臨している。
Romaji: Kare wa tenisu-kai no ōja to shite kunrin shite iru.
English: He reigns as the champion of the tennis world.
王座 (おうざ, ōza)
Meaning: Throne, championship title.
Example: 彼は長年王座を守り続けた。
Romaji: Kare wa naganen ōza o mamori tsuzuketa.
English: He defended his title/championship for many years.
魔王 (まおう, maō)
Meaning: Demon king, devil king.
Example: 勇者が魔王を倒す物語。
Romaji: Yūsha ga maō o taosu monogatari.
English: A story where a hero defeats the demon king.
Summary
Kanji: 王
Core Meaning: King, Ruler, Sovereign, Champion.
Readings: On'yomi オウ (ou)
Stroke Order: 4 strokes. Focus on the stable structure with a strong base and a centered vertical stroke.
This kanji is fundamental and appears in many words related to royalty, leadership, and supremacy in any field. By mastering its simple yet important stroke order and vocabulary, you will be able to correctly write and use this powerful character.