Counting and planning with 計
The kanji 計 has the core meanings of measure, count, and plan. It starts from the act of verbally tallying quantities and extends to schemes, calculations, and instruments for measuring. Because measured thinking leads to deliberate action, 計 also appears in words for design, accounting, statistics, and plans.
Etymology
This kanji is an ideogrammic compound made from 言 (say) and 十 (a complete number or tally), giving the image of speaking numbers one by one until a total is measured and a course of action can be planned.
Amounts
余計 (Excessive)
余計 means extra, excessive, unnecessary, or more than needed. It often carries the feeling that the surplus is unhelpful rather than welcome.
It combines 余 (extra) with 計 (measure) to show more than the proper amount.
Syaro is feeling down because a needless image of her has made its way to Rize.
- リゼ:
- 「リゼ先輩に余計なイメージもたれた…」
- “A wrong impression of me has become held by Rize-senpai...”
もつ’s negative stem is もた. Append れる for もたれる.
Planning
計画 (Plan)
計画 means a plan, project, or scheme worked out in advance. It can refer to anything from everyday scheduling to large long-term undertakings.
It combines 計 (plan) with 画 (draw out) to show a course of action mapped out in advance.
After discovering who the murderer is, Conan explains why the murderer went after Ran. He pinpoints when Ran unknowingly discovered a vital clue.
- コナン:
- 「あの時、蘭の事気にもとめてなかったが、もし思い出されたらせっかく組み立てたこの殺人計画がすべて水の泡になる…」
- “Ran didn't think anything of it at the time, but if she remembered it, all the murderous plans he worked so hard on putting together would go up in smoke.”
Timekeeping
時計 (Clock)
時計 means a clock or watch, an instrument for measuring time. The word applies to wall clocks, wristwatches, and timepieces generally.
It combines 時 (time) with 計 (measure) to show a device that measures time.
Having received a letter requesting help solving a mystery, Kogoro finds himself in a house filled with animal designs everywhere, including the doors, the chairs, and the plates. His attention turns to the clocks covering the walls.
- 小五郎:
- 「しかし動物もさることながら、時計もたくさんありますなー．．．」
- “But aside from the animals, there are also a lot of clocks, huh...”
- 男:
- 「当たり前ですよ．．． 祖父は時計職人だったんですから．．．」
- “Of course there are... Grandfather was a clock maker, after all...”
腕時計 (Wristwatch)
腕時計 means a wristwatch, a watch worn on the wrist for carrying time with you.
It combines 腕 (arm) with 時計 (clock) to show a clock worn on the arm.
At the stroke of midnight, Chibiusa wakes to a mysterious glow from her new wristwatch. She gets out of bed in a daze, and begins to leave the room. Her cat, Diana, bites her on the arm, returning Chibiusa from her trance.
- ちびうさ:
- 「この腕時計見てたら気が遠くなったのよ〰〰」
- “When I looked at this wristwatch, I became lightheaded〰”
- 「ダイアナ！ ヘンよ この時計！」
- “Diana! Something is strange about this watch!”
- 「とにかく 一の橋公園へ行ってみましょ！ スモール・レディ！！」
- “Anyway, let's try going to Ichinohashi Park! Small Lady!!”
- “When I looked at this wristwatch, I became lightheaded〰”