斤
KanjiJLPT N1
Axe
axe, 1.32 lb, catty, counter for loaves of bread, axe radical (no. 69)
Mnemonic
A horizontal handle with a heavy blade dropping at the end — an axe leaning against a desk.
Details
The keyword for 斤 is axe. This kanji originally depicted a single-bladed axe or hatchet used for chopping wood, and it carries the meaning of this basic cutting tool. In ancient China, it also came to be used as a unit of weight (approximately 600 grams), much like how "pound" in English can refer to both a striking action and a measure of weight. Its primary significance, however, remains rooted in the image of a simple, sturdy axe.
- On'yomi
- きん