jiānjiàn

watch carefully

Depicts a person () looking () at his own reflection on a plate ().

Components
臣 iconic component

  Iconic component

chén

  

minister

Depicts an eye.

人 iconic component

  Iconic component

rén

  

person

皿 iconic component

  Iconic component

mǐn

  

dish

Evolution

監 Oracle script (~1250-1000 BC)

Oracle script

(~1250-1000 BC)
監 Bronze script Early Western Zhou (~1000 BC)

Bronze script

Early Western Zhou (~1000 BC)
監 Seal script Shuowen (~100 AD)

Seal script

Shuowen (~100 AD)
監 Clerical script Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)

Clerical script

Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
監 Regular script Modern

Regular script

Modern
Definitions

() 

jiān

supervise, control, direct; to supervise; to inspect; jail; prison

() 

jiàn

supervisor

Most common words with 監
Freq.
Word
Meaning

监狱

prison

监督

to control

监视

to monitor

jail

监管

to oversee

Component uses

Sound component in 12 characters (5 verified)

Simplified component in 1 character (1 verified)