1. Kanji Breakdown: 井
This kanji represents a fundamental human-made structure, deeply connected to community and life.
Meaning: Well (for water); a well-shaped thing.
Reading:
Onyomi (Sino-Japanese reading): セイ (sei), ショウ (shou)
Kunyomi (Native Japanese reading): い (i)
The kanji is a pictograph (象形文字). Its original form clearly depicted the wooden frame or curb of a well as seen from above. This simple and elegant design has remained largely unchanged for thousands of years. In ancient times, the well was the center of a community, which is why this character also carries connotations of a neighborhood or one's birthplace.
2. Stroke Order and Writing
Learning the correct stroke order is crucial for balanced and beautiful kanji. "井" 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 first vertical stroke. (From top to bottom, cutting through the horizontals)
The second vertical stroke. (From top to bottom, parallel to the first)
Key Writing Tips:
Write from top to bottom.
The character should be symmetrical and square.
The two horizontal strokes should be of similar length and parallel.
The two vertical strokes should be of similar length and parallel.
The strokes should cross neatly, creating a well-proportioned "grid" or "frame."
3. Vocabulary and Example Sentences
Here are some common words using "井" and how to use them in sentences.
Vocabulary
井戸 (いど, ido)
Meaning: Water well.
Example: この村の井戸はとても深い。
Romaji: Kono mura no ido wa totemo fukai.
English: The well in this village is very deep.
井戸端会議 (いどばたかいぎ, idobata kaigi)
Meaning: A gossip session (literally, "well-side conference"). This idiom comes from the image of people gathering around the well to chat and exchange news.
Example: 近所の主婦たちが井戸端会議をしている。
Romaji: Kinjo no shufu-tachi ga idobata kaigi o shite iru.
English: The neighborhood housewives are having a gossip session.
天井 (てんじょう, tenjou)
Meaning: Ceiling (literally, "heavenly well").
Example: この部屋の天井は高い。
Romaji: Kono heya no tenjou wa takai.
English: The ceiling in this room is high.
井蛙 (せいあ, seia)
Meaning: A narrow-minded person, a person with a limited worldview (from the proverb "井の中の蛙大海を知らず" - A frog in a well knows nothing of the great ocean).
Example: 彼は井蛙の見識だ。
Romaji: Kare wa seia no kenshiki da.
English: He has the outlook of a frog in a well (very narrow-minded).
市井 (しせい, shisei)
Meaning: The marketplace; the common people, the public.
Example: 市井の人々の声を聞く。
Romaji: Shisei no hitobito no koe o kiku.
English: To listen to the voices of the common people.
Summary
Kanji: 井
Core Meaning: Well (for water).
Readings: On'yomi セイ (sei), Kun'yomi い (i)
Stroke Order: 4 strokes. Focus on its simple, symmetrical, and grid-like structure.
This kanji is a great example of how a simple pictograph can form the basis for many other words and cultural concepts. By mastering its stroke order and vocabulary, you will be able to correctly write and use this character that is deeply rooted in community life.