1. Overview of Meaning
The kanji “嘱” (shoku) means to entrust or to request someone to do something. It conveys the idea of assigning responsibility or asking for a favor.
2. Formation and Radical
Formation of the Kanji: The kanji “嘱” is a phonetic compound (形声文字), which combines the radical for “mouth” (口) with a phonetic component that suggests its pronunciation.
Radical: The radical of “嘱” is 口 (kuchi), which relates to speech or verbal communication.
3. Examples of Usage
Common Words and Phrases: Some common words that include “嘱” are 嘱託 (shokutaku, meaning “entrustment”) and 嘱望 (shokubou, meaning “expectation”).
Example Sentences in Daily Conversation:
- 彼にプロジェクトを嘱託しました。 (I entrusted him with the project.)
- 先生は私に研究を嘱望しています。 (The teacher has high expectations for my research.)
4. Synonyms and Antonyms
Similar Kanji: A similar kanji is “依” (i), which also means to depend on or to rely on, but it emphasizes a sense of reliance rather than entrustment.
Antonyms: An antonym is “拒” (kyo), which means to refuse or to reject, indicating the opposite action of entrusting.
5. Cultural and Historical Background
Relation to Japanese Culture: The concept of entrusting someone with a task is significant in Japanese culture, reflecting trust and responsibility in relationships.
Proverbs and Idioms: One relevant proverb is “信頼は嘱託の始まり” (Shinrai wa shokutaku no hajimari), which means “Trust is the beginning of entrustment,” highlighting the importance of trust in delegating responsibilities.