Mnemonic
Out in the field, a farmer drives his plow through the mud with raw power, muscles rippling under the sun. The other villagers point and say: "Now THAT is a male if I ever saw one!" Every day, he proves his strength in the field, pure power making him the most respected male in the village.
Additional thoughts
Picture a strong man flexing while standing in a rice paddy — field on top, power on the bottom, forming the kanji. Agricultural strength = classic masculine archetype.Quick recall
A man shows raw power working the field — the ultimate male.Details
The keyword for 男 is male. This kanji represents a male person, specifically a man or boy. It combines the idea of a rice field with strength, evoking the image of one who exerts physical labor in the fields—a role traditionally associated with men in agricultural society. It is one of the most fundamental kanji used to denote the masculine gender.
- On'yomi
- だん、なん
- Kun'yomi
- おとこ、お