1. Kanji Breakdown: 總 (Traditional) / 総 (Simplified)
This kanji represents the concept of entirety and comprehensiveness.
Meaning: Whole, entire, total, general, overall.
Reading:
Onyomi (Sino-Japanese reading): ソウ (sou)
Kunyomi (Native Japanese reading): None in common modern use.
The kanji is a phono-semantic compound (形声文字). It consists of two parts:
Left (糸): This is the "thread" radical (いとへん).
Right (忩): This is a component meaning "hurried" or "gathered," and it primarily provides the sound ("sou").
The original meaning comes from the idea of "gathering all the threads together" to form a complete rope or fabric. This imagery of bringing all parts into one unified whole evolved into its modern meanings of "total," "general," and "overall."
2. Stroke Order and Writing
Learning the correct stroke order is crucial for balanced and beautiful kanji. "総" has 14 strokes.
Here is the stroke order diagram and explanation:
Total Strokes: 14
Start with the left radical "糸" (thread radical):
Then, write the right part "忩":
Key Writing Tips:
Write from left to right, top to bottom.
The left radical "糸" is narrow. Pay attention to the three small dots at the bottom.
The right part "忩" is more complex. Break it down into the top (㐫) and bottom (心) components.
The final four dots (derived from 心) should be balanced.
3. Vocabulary and Example Sentences
Here are some common words using "総" and how to use them in sentences.
Vocabulary
総合 (そうごう, sougou)
Meaning: Synthesis, integration, comprehensive.
Example: この大学は総合大学です。
Romaji: Kono daigaku wa sougou daigaku desu.
English: This university is a comprehensive university.
総理大臣 (そうりだいじん, sōri daijin)
Meaning: Prime Minister (of Japan).
Example: 総理大臣が国会で演説した。
Romaji: Sōri daijin ga kokkai de enzetsu shita.
English: The Prime Minister gave a speech in the Diet.
総額 (そうがく, sougaku)
Meaning: Total amount, sum total.
例文: プロジェクトの総額は1億円です。
Romaji: Purojekuto no sougaku wa ichi-oku-en desu.
English: The total amount for the project is 100 million yen.
総人口 (そうじんこう, soujinkou)
Meaning: Total population.
Example: 日本の総人口は減少している。
Romaji: Nihon no soujinkou wa genshō shite iru.
English: Japan's total population is decreasing.
総括 (そうかつ, soukatsu)
Meaning: Summary, overview, consolidation.
Example: 会議の最後に総括を行う。
Romaji: Kaigi no saigo ni soukatsu o okonau.
English: We will give a summary at the end of the meeting.
総力 (そうりょく, sōryoku)
Meaning: Total effort, all-out effort.
Example: 総力を挙げて問題に当たる。
Romaji: Sōryoku o agete mondai ni ataru.
English: To tackle the problem with all-out effort.
Summary
Kanji: 総
Core Meaning: Whole, Total, General, Overall.
Readings: On'yomi ソウ (sou)
Stroke Order: 14 strokes. Remember it's composed of 糸 (thread) and 忩 (gathered). Practice writing it step-by-step to master its form.
This kanji is essential for discussing totals, summaries, and general concepts in politics, business, and statistics. By mastering its stroke order and vocabulary, you will be able to correctly write and use this important character.