Onyomi: タン · Kunyomi: ひとえ · Meanings: merely, one, simple, single
Kanji for merely, one, simple, single
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Find visually similar kanji, commonly confused characters, related meanings, and useful words connected to 単.
単 originally showed something simple and flat, without extra layers. Over time, it came to represent things that stand alone, are single, or are uncomplicated. Because a single item is easier to understand and not mixed with others, 単 developed meanings such as one, alone, and simple.
単 represents something single and uncomplicated, standing on its own.
Picture one plain object with no extra parts or decorations. That simple, single image is 単.
| Word | Reading | Meaning | Meta |
|---|---|---|---|
| 一重 | ひとえ | one layer, single layer | common JLPT-N1 Noun, Noun which may take the genitive case particle 'no' |
| 単 | たん | single, simple | common Prefix |
| 単位 | たんい | unit, denomination | common JLPT-N3 Noun |
| 単語 | たんご | word, vocabulary | common JLPT-N3 Noun |
| 単に | たんに | simply, merely, only, solely | common JLPT-N3 Adverb (fukushi) |
| 単純 | たんじゅん | simple, plain, uncomplicated, straightforward, simple-minded, naive | common JLPT-N3 Na-adjective (keiyodoshi), Noun |
| 単なる | たんなる | mere, simple, sheer | common JLPT-N3 Pre-noun adjectival (rentaishi) |
| 単調 | たんちょう | monotony, monotone, dullness | common JLPT-N1 Na-adjective (keiyodoshi), Noun |
| 単独 | たんどく | sole, single, solo | common JLPT-N1 Noun which may take the genitive case particle 'no', Na-adjective (keiyodoshi) |
| 単一 | たんいつ | single, simple, sole, individual, unitary | common JLPT-N1 Na-adjective (keiyodoshi), Noun which may take the genitive case particle 'no', Noun |