系 means “lineage, system”

けい · kei

On'yomi (Chinese reading)

ケイ

JLPT N1 · Taught in grade 6 · 7 strokes

The story

One stroke (丿) over a hanging thread (糸): picture strands tied into a single line running down. 系 links things into a lineage or a system: 家系 is a family line, 太陽系 the solar system, and Japanese students split into 理系, sciences, and 文系, humanities.

Used in 体系 (taikei, system), 家系 (kakei, family line), and 太陽系 (taiyoukei, solar system)

More from Kin & Cradle

• 郎 son
• 継 inherit
• 誕 birth
• 妊 pregnant
• 稚 young
• 嫁 bride
• 娠 pregnancy
• 胎 womb
• 叔 uncle
• 姻 marriage
• 婿 son-in-law
• 嫡 legitimate heir

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