Ateji (当て字 - Phonetic Equivalent) Part 2

May 12, 2019 22:11
Ateji Part 2

Yesterday, I introduced two meanings of 'ateji' (当て字).

I would like to show you examples of them.

[Ateji based only on the readings of kanji]
・目茶苦茶(めちゃくちゃ - "unreasonable")
(目 means "eye," 茶 means "tea," and 苦 means "bitter.")

・出鱈目(でたらめ - "incoherent")
(出 means "come out," 鱈 means "Pacific cod," and 目 means "eye.")

・仏蘭西(フランス - "France")
(仏 means "Buddha," 蘭 means "orchid," and 西 means "west.")

[Ateji based only on the meanings of kanji]
・紅葉(もみじ - "autumn color")
(紅 means "red" and 葉 means "leaf.")

・紫水晶(アメジスト - "amethyst")
(紫 means "purple" and 水晶 means "crystal.")
当て字 Part 2

昨日は「当て字」が持つ二つの意味を紹介しました。

今日は、それぞれの当て字の例を紹介します、

【漢字の意味を無視した当て字】
・めちゃくちゃ(目茶苦茶)
・でたらめ(出鱈目)
・フランス(仏蘭西)

【漢字の読みを無視した当て字】
・もみじ(紅葉)
・アメジスト(紫水晶)
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