The Kanji: 汽 (Ki)
The kanji 汽 means "steam," "vapor," or "vehicle." It combines 氵 (water) with 气 (air/steam), originally depicting water transforming into vapor. This character represents steam-powered mechanisms and modern transportation.
Common Words & Example Sentences
1. 汽車 (kisha) - Steam train
汽車が煙を吐いて走る。
"The steam train runs emitting smoke."
2. 汽船 (kisen) - Steamship
汽船で海を渡る。
"Cross the sea by steamship."
3. 汽水 (kisui) - Brackish water
川口に汽水域が広がる。
"Brackish water spreads at the river mouth."
4. 汽笛 (kiteki) - Steam whistle
船の汽笛が響く。
"The ship's steam whistle echoes."
In summary, 汽 describes steam-based systems - from transportation (汽車, 汽船) and geographical features (汽水) to signaling devices (汽笛). It connects vapor power with modern technology in Japanese.