1. Overview of Meaning
The kanji “辱” (pronounced “jaku” in Japanese) means “humiliation” or “disgrace.” It refers to the act of causing someone to feel shame or loss of dignity.
2. Formation and Radical
The kanji “辱” is a compound character (会意文字) that combines two elements: the radical “言” (meaning “word” or “speech”) and “辱” (which can imply “to insult”). This combination suggests that humiliation often involves words or speech that belittle someone.
The radical of “辱” is “言,” which is commonly associated with language and communication.
3. Examples of Usage
Common words and phrases that include “辱” are:
- 辱める (はずかしめる, hazukashimeru) – to humiliate
- 辱しめ (はずかしめ, hazukashime) – humiliation
Example sentence in daily conversation:
彼は人前で辱められた。
(かれはひとまえではずかしめられた。)
He was humiliated in front of others.
4. Synonyms and Antonyms
Similar kanji with related meanings include:
- 恥 (はじ, haji) – shame, which refers more to the feeling of shame itself rather than the act of humiliating someone.
Antonyms include:
- 名誉 (めいよ, meiyo) – honor, which represents respect and dignity.
5. Cultural and Historical Background
The concept of “辱” is significant in Japanese culture, where maintaining one’s honor and dignity is highly valued. Being humiliated can have serious social implications.
Proverbs and idiomatic expressions related to “辱” include:
- 「恥をかく」 (はじをかく, haji o kaku) – to suffer humiliation, which emphasizes the importance of avoiding situations that could lead to disgrace.