1. Meaning and Usage
The core meaning of the kanji 思 (おもう・omou) is "to think," "to consider," "to feel," or "to recall."
It is used in a wide range of words related to mental activity and emotion:
思う (omou): The basic verb meaning "to think," "to feel," "to believe."
思想 (shisō): Thought, ideology, philosophy. (思-think + 想-concept)
思考 (shikō): Thinking, consideration, reasoning. (思-think + 考-consider)
思い出 (omoide): Memories, recollections. (思-think + 出-come out)
不思議 (fushigi): Mystery, wonder, strange. (不-not + 思-think + 議-deliberate → "unthinkable")
2. Correct Stroke Order
Learning the correct stroke order is crucial for writing kanji that are balanced, legible, and written with speed. Here is the stroke order for 思.
Total Strokes: 9
田 (Den - Rice Field) Component (Top Part):
Stroke 1: Left vertical stroke (top to bottom).
Stroke 2: Top horizontal and right vertical (in one stroke).
Stroke 3: Middle horizontal stroke (left to right).
Stroke 4: Bottom horizontal stroke (left to right, "closing" the box).
Stroke 5: Middle vertical stroke inside the box (top to bottom).
心 (Kokoro - Heart) Component (Bottom Part):
Stroke 6: Left dot.
Stroke 7: The "hook" stroke in the middle.
Stroke 8: The right dot.
Stroke 9: The bottom dot.
Key Stroke Order Rule: This kanji follows the fundamental rules of "top to bottom" and "left to right." You always write the top component 田 completely before moving on to the bottom component 心.
3. Historical Origins and Etymology (The "Story" Behind the Kanji)
This is the most fascinating part. Kanji often evolved from pictographs, and 思 is a beautiful example of an ideographic compound (会意文字 - kaii moji), where two or more components are combined to create a new meaning.
The kanji 思 is composed of two distinct parts:
田 (ta/den): Meaning "rice field."
心 (kokoro/shin): Meaning "heart" or "mind."
In ancient Chinese philosophy, from which kanji originated, the 心 (heart) was considered the seat of thought, emotion, and consciousness, not just feelings. It was the mind-heart.
So, what is the connection between a "rice field" and the "heart/mind" to mean "to think"?
There are two popular interpretations, both pointing to the same core idea:
Interpretation 1: The Heart's Field
Imagine your mind or heart as a "field of thought." Just as a rice field is where seeds are planted and cultivated, your mind is where ideas and thoughts are "planted," "nurtured," and "grow." The kanji 思 visually represents this "field of the heart."Interpretation 2: The Shape of the Skull
This interpretation is more physiological. The 田 component did not always mean "rice field." In its earliest oracle bone script forms, it sometimes represented the fontanelle (the soft spot on a baby's head) or more broadly, the cranium or skull. When you combine the skull (田) with the heart/mind (心) inside it, you get the perfect pictograph for the source of thought and consciousness.
Conclusion of the Etymology:
Regardless of which interpretation you prefer, the combined meaning is powerful and logical. 思 represents the physical and metaphysical location where thinking happens—the contents (the heart/mind) within the container (the field/skull). It's a poetic and profound way to depict the abstract concept of "thought."
Summary
Meaning: To think, feel, consider.
Writing: 9 strokes. Write the top 田 first, then the bottom 心.
Origin: An ideographic compound of 田 (rice field/skull) and 心 (heart/mind), symbolizing the "field of the heart" or the "mind within the skull" where thoughts are cultivated.
Understanding the history and structure of a kanji like 思 makes it much more than just a character to memorize; it becomes a story and a concept, which greatly aids in long-term retention and appreciation for the language.