1. Overview of Meaning
The kanji “審” (shin) generally means “to examine,” “to investigate,” or “to judge.” It is often used in contexts related to scrutiny or evaluation, such as in legal or formal settings.
2. Formation and Radical
Formation of the Kanji: The kanji “審” is a compound character (会意文字) that combines elements to convey its meaning. It consists of the radical “宀” (roof) which suggests a place of judgment or examination, and “心” (heart), indicating the emotional or thoughtful aspect of the act of judging.
Radical: The radical of “審” is “宀,” which relates to buildings or structures, often implying a place where important activities take place.
3. Examples of Usage
Common Words and Phrases: Some frequently used words that include “審” are:
- 審査 (shinsa) – examination, inspection
- 審判 (shinpan) – judgment, referee
Example Sentences in Daily Conversation:
- この書類は審査が必要です。
(Kono shorui wa shinsa ga hitsuyou desu.) – This document needs to be examined. - 試合の審判は厳しいです。
(Shiai no shinpan wa kibishii desu.) – The referee of the match is strict.
4. Synonyms and Antonyms
Similar Kanji: A similar kanji is “査” (sa), which also means “to investigate” but is more commonly used in contexts like “調査” (chousa – survey) and focuses more on research rather than judgment.
Opposite Kanji: An antonym is “容認” (younin), which means “to accept” or “to tolerate,” indicating a lack of scrutiny or judgment.
5. Cultural and Historical Background
Relation to Japanese Culture: The concept of “審” is significant in Japanese culture, especially in legal and formal contexts where fairness and thorough examination are valued.
Proverbs and Idioms: One relevant proverb is “審判は公平でなければならない” (Shinpan wa kouhei de nakereba naranai), which means “Judgment must be fair,” emphasizing the importance of impartiality in decision-making.