1. Overview of Meaning
The kanji “往” (ou) primarily means “to go” or “to depart.” It conveys the idea of movement away from a place or a journey towards a destination.
2. Formation and Radical
Formation of the Kanji: The kanji “往” is classified as a phono-semantic compound (形声文字). It combines the semantic component “行” (to go) with the phonetic component “往,” which suggests a similar pronunciation.
Radical: The radical of “往” is “行” (to go), which is commonly associated with movement and travel.
3. Examples of Usage
Common Words and Phrases:
- 往復 (おうふく, oufuku) – round trip
- 往年 (おうねん, ounen) – past years
Example Sentences in Daily Conversation:
- 明日、東京に往きます。(あした、とうきょうにいきます。) – I will go to Tokyo tomorrow.
- 彼は往年の名選手です。(かれはおうねんのめいせんしゅです。) – He is a famous player from the past.
4. Synonyms and Antonyms
Similar Kanji:
- 行 (いく, iku) – to go; while “往” emphasizes the act of departing, “行” can refer to both going and coming.
Antonyms:
- 来 (くる, kuru) – to come; it indicates movement towards the speaker, contrasting with “往,” which indicates movement away.
5. Cultural and Historical Background
Relation to Japanese Culture: The kanji “往” is often used in contexts related to travel and journeys, reflecting the importance of movement in Japanese culture.
Proverbs and Idioms: One common expression is “往生際” (おうじょうぎわ, oujougiwa), which refers to the moment of death, emphasizing the final journey of life.