This kanji represents the possessive pronoun 'of' or 'belonging to'. It is also used as a substitute for 'の' in archaic writing.
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Kanji Story
Imagine a vertical line representing ownership, and a horizontal line crossing it to indicate belonging. This kanji symbolizes the possessive nature of the word 'of' or 'belonging to'.
Frequency in JLPT exams
Although '之' is not commonly encountered in everyday Japanese, it may appear in higher JLPT levels, especially in reading comprehension where knowledge of formal or literary language is required.
Example Sentences
彼の本
His book
かれのほん
kare no hon
この本は彼のです。
This book is his.
このほんはかれのです。
kono hon wa kare no desu.
その問題は難しいのだ。
That problem is difficult.
そのもんだいはむずかしいのだ。
sono mondai wa muzukashii no da.
Notes and Tips for JLPT students
Although '之' is rarely used in modern Japanese, it is important to recognize and understand its meaning and usage in more formal or literary contexts.
The possessive function of '之' is similar to 'の', but its usage is less common and more formal.
In archaic texts, '之' was used in place of 'の' as a possessive particle. For example, '君之書' (kimi no sho) means 'your book'.
Usage in Japanese Names
The kanji '之' is rarely used in personal names in modern times. However, it can occasionally be seen in traditional or historical names, symbolizing possession or belonging. For example, '之花' (No Hana) means 'flower of' or 'belonging to the field'.
