係 means “person in charge, connection”

かかり · kakari

Also: duty, concern oneself

Kun'yomi (Japanese reading)

かかる, かかり, かかわる

On'yomi (Chinese reading)

ケイ

JLPT N3 · Taught in grade 3 · 9 strokes

The story

A person (亻) tied to a line of thread (系): someone linked to a job. Every Japanese classroom hands out 係, like feeding the class fish, and doors marked 関係者以外立入禁止 keep out anyone not connected.

Used in 関係 (kankei, relationship), 係員 (kakariin, attendant in charge), and 関係者 (kankeisha, people involved)

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• 務 duty

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Readings from KANJIDIC2, © EDRDG, CC BY-SA.