same reading, similar meaning, different Kanji


> **Possible Duplicate:**  
>  [do people actually respect the nuances of 探す vs
> 捜す?](https://japanese.stackexchange.com/questions/2123/do-people-actually-
> respect-the-nuances-of-%e6%8e%a2%e3%81%99-vs-%e6%8d%9c%e3%81%99)

There are many kanji that I have come across with similar meanings, and
(seemly coincidentally) identical readings. But the kanji in question look
entirely different from each other. This particular aspect of kanji has been
helpful to me, as it makes memorizing readings and associating meanings much
easier, but I have also found it intriguing.

Some examples:

元 and 源 are both read as "gen", and both carry a meaning of "source or
origin".

元 and 本 are both read as "moto", and both carry a meaning of "root or origin".

内 and 家 are both read as "uchi", and carry a meaning of "inner" and "home",
respectively (related by the "inner circle" aspect of Japanese culture)."

他 and 外 are both read as "hoka", and carry the meanings of "other" and
"outside", respectively.

小 and 少 are both read as "shou", and carry the meanings of "small" and "few",
respectively.

神 and 上 are both read as "kami", and carry the meanings of "god" and "above",
respectively.

空ける and 開ける are both read as "akeru", both mean "to open", and their kanji
translate to "empty" and "open", respectively.

The humble form of "person" is 者, and is pronounced "mono", as if referring to
the person as "a thing" (物).

Finally, the adjective for "ugly", 醜い, is read "minikui". This is identical to
見にくい or 見難い, which is an entire phrase meaning "hard to look at".

There are a lot more examples that I can think of, but I omitted most of them
for the sake of brevity. Is this just a series of coincidences, or is there an
etymological or historical reason for this?

