1. Kanji Breakdown: 最
This kanji represents the ultimate degree or extreme point of something.
Meaning: Most, extreme, highest degree; superlative form.
Reading:
Onyomi (Sino-Japanese reading): サイ (sai)
Kunyomi (Native Japanese reading): もっと（も） (motto(mo))
The kanji is a compound ideograph (会意文字). It consists of two parts:
Top (冃): This is a variant of "冃" which means "to cover" or "to gather."
Bottom (取): This means "to take" or "to seize."
The original meaning comes from the concept of "gathering and taking everything in." The idea is to take the entirety of something, leaving nothing else, thus reaching the "utmost" or "extreme" point. This evolved into its modern usage as a superlative prefix, meaning "the most."
2. Stroke Order and Writing
Learning the correct stroke order is crucial for balanced and beautiful kanji. "最" has 12 strokes.
Here is the stroke order diagram and explanation:
Total Strokes: 12
Start with the top part "曰":
Then, write the bottom part "取":
Key Writing Tips:
Write from top to bottom, left to right.
The top part "曰" should be wide enough to "cover" the bottom part.
The bottom part "取" is complex. Pay attention to the "耳" (ear) radical on the left and the "又" (hand) radical on the right.
The overall character should feel balanced and solid.
3. Vocabulary and Example Sentences
Here are some common words using "最" and how to use them in sentences.
Vocabulary
最高 (さいこう, saikou)
Meaning: The highest, the best, supreme; wonderful, awesome.
Example: 今日の天気は最高だ！
Romaji: Kyō no tenki wa saikou da!
English: Today's weather is the best!
最後 (さいご, saigo)
Meaning: The last, the end, final.
Example: 彼が最後に到着した。
Romaji: Kare ga saigo ni tōchaku shita.
English: He arrived last.
最初 (さいしょ, saisho)
Meaning: The beginning, the first, initial.
Example: 最初からやり直そう。
Romaji: Saisho kara yarinaosou.
English: Let's start over from the beginning.
最近 (さいきん, saikin)
Meaning: Recently, lately.
Example: 最近、彼に会っていない。
Romaji: Saikin, kare ni atte inai.
English: I haven't seen him recently.
最小 (さいしょう, saishou)
Meaning: The smallest, the minimum.
Example: この部品は最小限のサイズです。
Romaji: Kono buhin wa saishou gen no saizu desu.
English: This part is the minimum size.
最悪 (さいあく, saiaku)
Meaning: The worst, awful.
Example: それは最悪な状況だ。
Romaji: Sore wa saiaku na jōkyō da.
English: That is the worst situation.
Summary
Kanji: 最
Core Meaning: Most, Extreme, Highest (superlative prefix).
Readings: On'yomi サイ (sai)
Stroke Order: 12 strokes. Remember it's composed of the covering/gathering radical on top of "to take."
This kanji is absolutely essential for forming superlatives and expressing extremes in Japanese. By mastering its stroke order and vocabulary, you will be able to correctly write and use this extremely common and useful character.