典 means “classic, rule, ceremony”

てん · ten

Also: code, law

Kun'yomi (Japanese reading): ふみ, のり
On'yomi (Chinese reading): テン, デン

JLPT N1 · Taught in grade 4 · 8 strokes

The story

Bound writings (the 曲-like top, once 冊) laid on a low stand: texts held up with respect. 典 is the standard text and the formal occasion: a 辞典 is a dictionary, 古典 the classics, a 式典 a ceremony, and a 特典 the bonus that comes with a purchase.

Used in 辞典 (jiten, dictionary), 古典 (koten, classics), and 式典 (shikiten, ceremony)

典 means “classic, rule, ceremony”

The story

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