省 means “ministry, omit, reflect”

しょう · shou

Also: government ministry, conserve

Kun'yomi (Japanese reading): かえりみる, はぶく
On'yomi (Chinese reading): セイ, ショウ

JLPT N2 · Taught in grade 4 · 9 strokes

The story

An eye (目) narrowed on the few (少) things that matter: look closely, cut the rest. 省く is to leave out and 反省 to look back at yourself. 省 is also a ministry, like the 外務省, and 帰省 is the trip home that fills Japan's trains at Obon and New Year.

Used in 反省 (hansei, reflection), 帰省 (kisei, going back to one's hometown), and 外務省 (gaimushou, Ministry of Foreign Affairs)

省 means “ministry, omit, reflect”

The story

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