観

• Reading: かん
• Romaji: kan
• Kanji breakdown: 観 (kan) — view, outlook, contemplation
• Pronunciation: /ka.n/

Meaning

View; outlook; sense; way of seeing. A perspective or philosophical stance on something.

A noun and suffix expressing one's view or perception of things. Commonly appears in compounds: 人生観 (jinseikan, view of life), 世界観 (sekaikan, worldview), 価値観 (kachikan, sense of values), 歴史観 (rekishikan, view of history). As a standalone noun, it refers to a contemplative outlook.

Examples

1. 人それぞれ価値観が違うものだ。 Everyone has different values.
2. あの映画の世界観がとても好きだ。 I really love the world-building in that movie.
3. 旅行をすると人生観が変わることがある。 Traveling can sometimes change your outlook on life.

Usage Guide

Context: philosophy, personal values, discussion

Tone: reflective

Origin & History

The kanji 観 combines 雚 (a bird) and 見 (to see). The original sense was careful observation, like a bird watching from a height, later extending to philosophical contemplation.

Cultural Context

Era: Classical

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal