1. Kanji Breakdown: 美
This kanji represents the concept of beauty, a fundamental aesthetic principle in Japanese culture.
Meaning: Beauty, beautiful.
Reading:
Onyomi (Sino-Japanese reading): ビ (bi)
Kunyomi (Native Japanese reading): うつく（しい） (utsuku(shii))
The kanji is a compound ideograph (会意文字). It is composed of two parts:
Top (羊): This means "sheep."
Bottom (大): This means "big" or "great."
A common and classical interpretation is that a "big sheep" was considered a symbol of beauty and goodness in ancient Chinese culture, as it provided ample wool, meat, and was used in sacrifices. Thus, the character came to represent beauty.
2. Stroke Order and Writing
Learning the correct stroke order is crucial for balanced and beautiful kanji. "美" has 9 strokes.
Here is the stroke order diagram and explanation:
Total Strokes: 9
Start with the top dot. (A short stroke)
The top horizontal stroke. (From left to right)
The second horizontal stroke. (Shorter than the first)
The third horizontal stroke. (The longest of the top three)
The left vertical stroke. (From top to bottom)
The right vertical stroke. (From top to bottom)
The left-falling stroke of "大". (A long diagonal from the center)
The right-falling stroke of "大". (A long diagonal that crosses the previous stroke)
The final dot. (Placed at the end of the right-falling stroke)
Key Writing Tips:
Write from top to bottom.
The top part "羊" should be compact. Note that the vertical strokes do not connect all the way through the horizontals.
The bottom part "大" should be larger and provide a stable base for the character.
The final two diagonal strokes (7 & 8) should be well-balanced and symmetrical.
3. Vocabulary and Example Sentences
Here are some common words using "美" and how to use them in sentences.
Vocabulary
美しい (うつくしい, utsukushii)
Meaning: Beautiful, lovely (often for visual and aesthetic beauty).
Example: 桜が美しく咲いている。
Romaji: Sakura ga utsukushiku saite iru.
English: The cherry blossoms are blooming beautifully.
美学 (びがく, bigaku)
Meaning: Aesthetics (the study of beauty).
Example: 日本の庭園は独特の美学に基づいている。
Romaji: Nihon no teien wa dokutoku no bigaku ni motozuite iru.
English: Japanese gardens are based on a unique aesthetic.
美術 (びじゅつ, bijutsu)
Meaning: Fine arts.
Example: 来週、美術館に行く予定です。
Romaji: Raishū, bijutsukan ni iku yotei desu.
English: I plan to go to the art museum next week.
美味しい (おいしい, oishii)
Meaning: Delicious, tasty. Note: This word uses the same "美" kanji but is read differently. It combines "美" (beauty) with "味" (taste).
Example: この料理はとても美味しい！
Romaji: Kono ryōri wa totemo oishii!
English: This dish is very delicious!
完美 (かんび, kanbi)
Meaning: Perfect beauty, perfection, flawlessness.
Example: 彼女のピアノの演奏は完美だった。
Romaji: Kanojo no piano no ensō wa kanbi datta.
English: Her piano performance was perfect.
Summary
Kanji: 美
Core Meaning: Beauty, Beautiful.
Readings: On'yomi ビ (bi), Kun'yomi うつくしい (utsukushii)
Stroke Order: 9 strokes. Remember it's composed of 羊 (top - sheep) and 大 (bottom - big). Practice writing it step-by-step to master its elegant form.
This kanji is essential for discussing art, nature, and aesthetics in Japanese. By mastering its stroke order and vocabulary, you will be able to appreciate and describe beauty in its many forms.