1. Meaning and Usage
The core meaning of the kanji 同 is "same," "identical," "equal," or "to agree." It represents a state of unity, similarity, or sharing between two or more things.
Common Readings and Words:
どう (dō): The Sino-Japanese reading used in compound words.
同じ (onaji): Same, identical. (This is the most common native word, but it uses the kun'yomi reading).
同意 (dōi): Agreement, consent. (同-same + 意-mind → "same mind")
同時 (dōji): Simultaneous, same time. (同-same + 時-time)
共同 (kyōdō): Cooperation, joint. (共-together + 同-same)
おな (ona): The native Japanese reading used in the word 同じ (onaji).
2. Correct Stroke Order
Writing 同 correctly is crucial for balance. The kanji is composed of an enclosing radical 冂 (kei-gamae) and the internal component 口 (kuchi).
Total Strokes: 6
Step-by-Step Breakdown:
Stroke 1: Left vertical stroke. Write from top to bottom (竖).
Stroke 2: The horizontal折 (oritsu). This stroke forms the top and the right side of the enclosure. Start from the left, write the top horizontal, then turn and go down the right side.
Stroke 3: The short horizontal stroke inside, at the top (横).
Stroke 4: The left vertical of the "mouth" component (竖).
Stroke 5: The top horizontal and right vertical of the "mouth" in one stroke (横折).
Stroke 6: The bottom horizontal stroke to close the "mouth" (横).
Key Stroke Order Rules Applied:
Enclose before Close: The outer structure (Strokes 1 and 2) is established before the internal components are filled in.
Top to Bottom: The internal strokes are written from top to bottom.
3. Historical Origins and Etymology (The "Story" Behind the Kanji)
The history of 同 is a great example of an ideographic compound (会意文字 kaii moji), where the meaning is logically derived from its parts.
Let's break down its original components:
冂 (Kei-gamae): This radical represents an "enclosure," "boundary," or "a gathering place." It sets the stage for things being brought together within a common space.
口 (Kuchi): While this character means "mouth," in ancient Chinese scriptology, it had a broader meaning. It could represent a "vessel," "container," or more abstractly, a "spoken order" or "decree."
The Combined Meaning:
The character 同 creates a powerful and intuitive concept:
"To gather under one order (口) within a common boundary (冂)."
There are two closely related interpretations:
Interpretation 1: The Gathering
People are gathered (冂) to receive a single command from their leader's mouth (口). They are unified in purpose and action, becoming "the same" in their mission.Interpretation 2: The Congruent Vessels
Multiple objects are placed into the same container (冂). The mouth of the container (口) ensures that everything inside is grouped together and treated as one, making them "the same" in that context.
In both cases, the core idea is unification. When things are brought together under a single rule, purpose, or category, their individual differences become less significant, and they are perceived as being "the same."
4. Example Sentences
Here are some example sentences showing the different uses of 同.
As "Same" (おなじ):
Romaji: Watashitachi wa onaji toshi desu.
English: We are the same age.
私たちは同じ年です。
As "Agreement" (どう):
Romaji: Kare no teian ni dōi shimasu.
English: I agree with his proposal.
彼の提案に同意します。
As "Simultaneous" (どう):
Romaji: Futari ga dōji ni tōchaku shita.
English: The two of them arrived at the same time.
二人が同時に到着した。
Summary
Meaning: Same, identical, equal, to agree.
Writing: 6 strokes. Write the enclosing structure 冂 first, then the internal component 口 from top to bottom.
Origin: An ideographic compound. It combines 冂 (an enclosure/gathering) with 口 (a mouth/order/vessel) to represent the concept of "gathering under one order" or "being contained together." This act of unification under a common purpose or category is the source of the meaning "same."