準 means “standard, level, semi-”

じゅん · jun

Also: correspond to, proportionate to, conform

Kun'yomi (Japanese reading): じゅんじる, じゅんずる, なぞらえる, のり, ひとしい
On'yomi (Chinese reading): ジュン

JLPT N2 · Taught in grade 5 · 13 strokes

The story

Water (氵) lying perfectly flat, level as a falcon (隼) gliding: 準 first meant a level, the line to measure by. 準備 is getting ready, 基準 a standard, and 準決勝 is the semifinal, one step short of the final.

Used in 準備 (junbi, preparation), 基準 (kijun, standard/criterion), and 準決勝 (junkesshou, semifinal)

準 means “standard, level, semi-”

The story

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