Kanji: 斑 (Han)
Meaning:
The kanji 斑 (han) means spot, speckle, patch, or stripe. It represents an uneven distribution of color or texture, creating a mottled or speckled appearance.
Key Insight:
You can think of it as a pattern of spots or patches on a king's (王) robe made of jewels (文). The character itself is a combination of 文 (pattern, decoration) and 王 (king), visually suggesting an ornate, patterned design.
Common Vocabulary:
Here are some useful words containing 斑:
まだら (madara) - This is the common Japanese reading and means "mottled" or "blotchy." It's often used to describe patterns in nature.
Example: まだらな岩 (madara na iwa) - A mottled rock.
斑点 (hanten) - This is the standard word for a "spot" or "speckle."
Example: 彼女は服の斑点を洗った。(Kanojo wa fuku no hanten o aratta.) - She washed the spots off her clothes.
斑模様 (madara moyō) - This translates to "speckled pattern" or "dappled pattern."
Example: キリンの斑模様 (kirin no madara moyō) - The giraffe's spotted pattern.
Example Sentence:
"The leopard's beautiful spots are a perfect example of nature's camouflage."
(ヒョウの美しい斑点は、自然のカモフラージュの完璧な例です。)
Learning the correct kanji stroke order is essential for proper kanji writing. Mastering how to write kanji like 斑 ensures your characters are balanced and legible.