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sweet; fragrant; tempting; indulgent; "sweet" radical
Kanji 1093

Thank you for visiting this Character Home Page. Below you'll find a synopsis of the essay. If you wish to read the full text, the PDF of the essay is available for purchase to the right.

Synopsis

Even though 甘い (あまい) seems ultra-simple, it has six definitions! Some are straightforward (e.g., sweet tastes and smells). Others are unexpected, as when "sweet" words deceive or spoil others. You'll learn the term for "sweet tooth" and for its opposite, a word that has nothing to do with food! You'll also find out about 甘 as a radical in eight Joyo kanji.

Revision history:

June 25, 2021: p. 17: Changed the definitions of 勘 (1100) and slightly updated Henshall’s etymology of 其.

Jan. 2–4, 2020:

  • p. 2: Etymology Box: Replaced the old Henshall etymology with the new one.
  • p. 6: Slightly changed the last sample sentence and its translation, as well as the subsequent explanation.
  • p. 10, photo caption: Improved the translation of the sign and deleted the last paragraph in the caption.
  • p. 11: Slightly changed the definition of 頂く.
  • p. 16: Slightly changed the definition of 取って代わる.

Mar. 31, 2018:

  • p. 6: Removed a broken link.
  • p. 10: In the photo caption I have now defined 木 as "wood" (not tree) and 成熟 as a noun (not a verb). I also explained some of the syntax in the sign.

June 1, 2012: Originally published.

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Kanji PDF
Mini Profile
JOYO ON-YOMI
カン
JOYO KUN-YOMI
あま-い, あま-える, あま-やかす
STROKES5
RADICAL甘 (99: sweet)
JLPTN1
HALPERN2176/2930
HENSHALL1093/1139
SPAHN0a5.32