1. Overview of Meaning
The kanji “吹” (pronounced “fuki” or “sui”) means “to blow” or “to puff.” It is commonly associated with actions like blowing air, wind, or even blowing out candles.
2. Formation and Radical
Formation of the Kanji: The kanji “吹” is a phono-semantic compound (形声文字), which means it combines a phonetic component and a semantic component. The left part, “口” (kuchi), represents the mouth, indicating the action of blowing, while the right part, “彳” (chi), contributes to the pronunciation.
Radical: The radical for “吹” is “口” (kuchi), which is commonly associated with mouth-related actions.
3. Examples of Usage
Common Words and Phrases: Some frequently used words that include “吹” are:
- 吹く (ふく, fuku) – to blow
- 吹雪 (ふぶき, fubuki) – snowstorm
- 吹奏楽 (すいそうがく, suisougaku) – wind ensemble
Example Sentences in Daily Conversation:
- 風が吹いています。 (かぜがふいています。) – The wind is blowing.
- 彼はキャンドルを吹き消しました。 (かれはキャンドルをふきけしました。) – He blew out the candle.
4. Synonyms and Antonyms
Similar Kanji: A similar kanji is “鳴” (なる, naru), which means “to sound” or “to chirp.” While both involve sound, “吹” specifically refers to blowing air, whereas “鳴” relates to sounds made by animals or objects.
Opposite Kanji: An antonym could be “吸” (すう, suu), which means “to suck.” While “吹” involves expelling air, “吸” involves drawing air in.
5. Cultural and Historical Background
Relation to Japanese Culture: The concept of blowing is significant in various Japanese traditions, such as the blowing of wind instruments in festivals and ceremonies.
Proverbs and Idioms: One common idiom is “吹けば飛ぶような” (ふけばとぶような), which means “as light as a feather,” often used to describe something that is easily influenced or affected.