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to come very close
Kanji 1496

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

Manners are paramount in Japan, and 挨 has to do with the right words said at the right time (though it originally represented rude behavior!). See how 挨 relates to greeting and parting from others, apologies, expressions of sympathy, speeches, the yakuza, visiting relatives, Zen dialogues, writing letters, and more. Also learn why you might give toilet paper as a gift! 

Revision history:

Feb. 15, 2022:

  • p. 2, Etymology Box: Added the Henshall etymology and Sears link. I then added to the adjacent main text that Henshall calls the use of 挨 in 挨拶 a loan usage that exists only in Japanese.
  • p. 9: Added a link to the Kanshudo games.

Sept. 30, 2016: Originally published.

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Kanji PDF
Cover of essay 1496 on 挨, titled "Meet and Greet"
Mini Profile
JOYO ON-YOMI
アイ
JOYO KUN-YOMI
None
STROKES10
RADICAL扌 (64: hand)
JLPTN1
HALPERN-/383
HENSHALL-/1009
SPAHN3c7.12