単 means “single, simple”

たん · tan

Also: one, merely

Kun'yomi (Japanese reading)

ひとえ

On'yomi (Chinese reading)

タン

JLPT N3 · Taught in grade 4 · 9 strokes

The story

Picture a single banner on its pole, three tassels on top: one thing standing alone. 単 is single and simple: 単語 is one word, the stuff of flashcards, 簡単 is easy, and 単位 is a unit, or a college credit.

Used in 簡単 (kantan, easy/simple), 単語 (tango, word), and 単位 (tan'i, unit/credit)

More from How Much, How Many

• 類 kind
• 余 surplus
• 等 equal
• 列 row
• 幾 how many
• 全 all
• 最 most
• 加 add
• 増 increase
• 両 both
• 割 split
• 種 seed

Learn 単 and more kanji free on Fuji Learning · All kanji

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