The Kanji: 粉 (Fun / Kona / Ko)
The kanji 粉 means "powder," "flour," or "to pulverize." It combines 米 (rice) with 分 (to divide), originally depicting rice ground into fine particles. This character represents finely divided substances and cosmetic powders.
Common Words & Example Sentences
1. 粉 (kona) - Powder
小麦粉でパンを作る。
"Make bread with wheat flour."
2. 花粉 (kafun) - Pollen
花粉症の季節が来た。
"The hay fever season has arrived."
3. 粉々 (konagona) - Into pieces
ガラスが粉々に割れた。
"The glass shattered into pieces."
4. 粉飾 (funshoku) - Window dressing
決算を粉飾する。
"Window-dress financial statements."
In summary, 粉 describes powdered substances (粉, 花粉), fragmentation (粉々), and superficial embellishment (粉飾). It connects physical powder with metaphorical fragmentation in Japanese.