音読み: ゲン
訓読み: くろ・くろい
画数: 5
部首: 玄（げん）
Meaning
Mysterious / Profound / Deep.
- 玄人 — expert / professional
- 玄関 — entrance / foyer
- 玄米 — brown rice
- 玄孫 — great-great-grandchild
玄 evokes a deep, dark color and by extension “mystery” or “profoundness.” It often contrasts with 素 (plain): 玄人 is an expert, while 素人 is an amateur.
Think of 素／玄 as a pair: 素 = plain, beginner side; 玄 = deep, expert side. That’s why 素人 = amateur and 玄人 = pro.
Forms
玄関 — entrance / foyer