慈
KANJI DETAIL
compassion
On readingじ13 strokesN3
Radical 心 · heartStroke order
Loading the stroke order for 慈.
Japanese readings
- On reading
- じ
- Kun reading
- いつくしむ
Study notes
1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning
- Structure: 慈 has 13 strokes, the on-reading じ, and the kun-reading いつくしむ. 慈愛 (じあい) and 慈悲 (じひ) concern caring for others and feeling compassion.
- Basic usage: 慈愛 expresses compassionate care; 慈悲 expresses mercy or compassion shown to those who suffer.
2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions
- Compassionate care and showing mercy
- 慈愛に満ちた目 describes compassionate eyes watching grandchildren. 民への慈愛 means compassion for the people beneath a king's severity.
- 慈悲を示した describes showing mercy to a young man who admitted his crime. 慈悲の手を差し伸べる expresses offering compassionate help to those who suffer.