Kanji Breakdown: 煎
Core Meaning: To roast, simmer, decoct; pan-fry without oil
Reading: セン (sen)
Structure Analysis:
前 (front/before): phonetic component
灬 (fire): fire radical
Character shows "fire applied in forward process" - controlled heating.
Essential Vocabulary & Usage
1. 煎る (いる・iru) - To roast, parch
"Roast the sesame seeds until fragrant."
ゴマを香りが立つまで煎ってください。
2. 煎餅 (せんべい・senbei) - Rice cracker
"I bought traditional Japanese rice crackers."
日本の伝統的な煎餅を買った。
3. 煎じ薬 (せんじぐすり・senjigusuri) - Herbal decoction
"The doctor prescribed a bitter herbal medicine."
医者は苦い煎じ薬を処方した。
4. 煎茶 (せんちゃ・sencha) - Steamed green tea
"We drink sencha daily in Japan."
日本では日常的に煎茶を飲む。
Key Insight
煎 represents dry-heat cooking and medicinal preparation - specifically roasting (coffee beans, sesame) and simmering (herbs for tea/medicine). Unlike boiling (煮), 煎 involves minimal liquid and controlled heating to extract flavors or create crisp textures. Essential for Japanese food culture (tea, senbei) and traditional medicine.
*Stroke Order: 13 strokes - write 前 first, then 灬 fire radical.*