1. Meaning and Usage
The core meaning of the kanji 戦 is "war," "battle," "fight," or "to compete." It encompasses all forms of conflict, from large-scale military warfare to personal struggles and competitive games.
Common Readings and Words:
せん (sen): The Sino-Japanese reading used in compound words.
戦争 (sensō): War. (戦-war + 争-conflict)
戦場 (senjō): Battlefield. (戦-battle + 場-place)
戦術 (senjutsu): Military tactics. (戦-war + 術-art/skill)
冷戦 (reisēn): Cold War. (冷-cold + 戦-war)
たたか (tataka): Used in native Japanese verbs.
戦う (tatakau): The basic verb "to fight," "to battle," "to compete."
戦い (tatakai): A battle, a fight (the noun form).
いくさ (ikusa): An older, more literary reading for "war" or "battle."
2. Correct Stroke Order
Writing 戦 correctly requires careful attention as it is a complex character. The kanji is composed of the left component 単 (tan) and the right component 戈 (hoko).
Total Strokes: 13
Step-by-Step Breakdown:
Left Component: 単 (Simple)
Stroke 1: Dot on the top.
Stroke 2: Horizontal stroke below the dot.
Stroke 3: Second horizontal stroke.
Stroke 4: Vertical stroke down the center.
Stroke 5: Left-falling stroke from the center.
Stroke 6: Right-dot stroke for balance.
Stroke 7: Short horizontal stroke at the bottom.
Stroke 8: Second short horizontal stroke at the very bottom.
Right Component: 戈 (Hoko - Halberd)
Stroke 9: The horizontal hook stroke.
Stroke 10: Left-falling stroke from the top.
Stroke 11: Short left-falling stroke inside.
Stroke 12: Right-dot stroke (捺).
Stroke 13: A final short dot on the lower right.
Key Stroke Order Rules Applied:
Left to Right: The entire left component 単 is written before the right component 戈.
Top to Bottom: This rule governs the order within the 単 component.
Center before Wings: Visible in the 単 component.
3. Historical Origins and Etymology (The "Story" Behind the Kanji)
The history of 戦 is a powerful example of an ideographic compound (会意文字 kaii moji), where the original meaning is vividly clear from its components.
The kanji 戦 is composed of two highly significant parts:
単 (Tan): In its ancient form, this was not "simple." It was a pictograph of a shield. Some scholars also suggest it represented a type of ancient weapon like a slingshot or a shield with a protruding part for attacking.
戈 (Hoko): This is one of the most important military radicals. It represents a halberd, a long spear-like weapon with a blade attached, which was a primary weapon in ancient Chinese warfare.
The Combined Meaning:
The character 戦 creates an unmistakable and visceral image:
"A shield (単) and a halberd (戈) clashing together."
This is the very essence of battle. It doesn't just show one weapon; it shows the interaction of offensive and defensive implements in the hands of opposing warriors. This single character captures the chaos, danger, and direct conflict of combat.
Evolution of Meaning:
From this core image of armed combat, the meaning naturally expanded:
Military Conflict: War (戦争), battlefield (戦場).
Personal Struggle: To fight against illness (病気と戦う).
Competition: To compete in a game or sport (試合で戦う).
4. Example Sentences
Here are some example sentences showing the different uses of 戦.
As a Verb "To Fight" (たたかう):
Romaji: Karera wa jiyū no tame ni tatakatta.
English: They fought for freedom.
彼らは自由のために戦った。
As "War" (せん):
Romaji: Sono sensō wa ōku no inochi o ubatta.
English: That war took many lives.
その戦争は多くの命を奪った。
As "Competition":
Romaji: Tsugi no aite to tatakau no wa tanoshimi da.
English: I look forward to competing against the next opponent.
次の相手と戦うのは楽しみだ。
Summary
Meaning: War, battle, to fight, to compete.
Writing: 13 strokes. Write the left component 単 (originally a shield) first, then the right component 戈 (a halberd).
Origin: An ideographic compound that is a direct pictograph of combat. It represents the clashing of a shield (単) and a halberd (戈), perfectly capturing the fundamental elements of battle and conflict. This powerful image is the foundation for all its modern meanings, from global warfare to personal struggle.