[For Seniors] Kanji Decomposition Quiz: Assemble the scattered characters

noon

Daytime, the time when many people are active, is written with a character composed of the elements for “sun,” “measure,” and “one.” If you break the character for daytime down, you might wonder, “Why do we use this character?” The origin of the character for daytime comes from an associative compound. An associative compound combines the meanings of existing characters to create a new character with its own meaning. The character for daytime is formed from the sun and an older character that means to divide or separate. Among the periods of time divided by the sun’s rising and setting, it represents the span when the sun is above the horizon.

eulogy; praise; commendation

In this problem, you combine three kanji—“夫,” “夫,” and “貝”—to form a word. The answer is “讃.” Combining “夫” + “夫” creates the component found in “賛.” Adding “貝” places it above that component, completing the kanji “讃.” “讃” means to praise or to commend something.

town

In this puzzle, you combine the three kanji “丁,” “十,” and “口” to form a word. The answer is “町.” When you combine “丁” and “十,” the “丁” component remains while “十” influences its shape. Adding “口” completes the character “町,” which denotes a town or a small settlement.

agitation

In this puzzle, you combine four kanji—「力」 (power), 「云」, 「重」 (heavy), and 「車」 (car)—to form a word. The answer is 「動転」. Combining 「力」 and 「云」 gives 「動」, and combining 「重」 and 「車」 gives 「転」. Putting these together forms the word 「動転」, which means losing one’s composure due to surprise or panic.

early morning

In this puzzle, you combine six kanji—“十,” “月,” “十,” “日,” “十,” and “日”—to form a word. The answer is “早朝” (early morning). Combining “十” + “月” yields “早,” and combining “十” + “日” + “十” + “日” yields “朝.” Putting these together gives “早朝.” “Early morning” refers to the time just after daybreak, that is, the early hours around sunrise.

sugar

In this problem, you combine four kanji—「唐」 (tō), 「石」 (stone), 「米」 (rice), and 「少」 (few)—to form a certain compound word. The answer is 「砂糖」 (sugar). First, combining 「石」 and 「少」 yields the kanji 「砂」 (sand). Next, combining 「米」 and 「唐」 yields the kanji 「糖」 (sugar).

time

In this problem, you create a word by combining the five kanji “土,” “日,” “日,” “寸,” and “門.” The answer is “時間” (time). Combining “土” + “日” forms “時,” and combining “日” + “寸” + “門” forms “間.” Putting these together gives the word “時間.” Time refers to the length or interval during which events occur or progress.