1. Overview of Meaning
The kanji “戚” (pronounced “seki” in Japanese) primarily means “sorrow” or “grief.” It is often associated with feelings of sadness, particularly in relation to loss or mourning.
2. Formation and Radical
Formation of the Kanji: The kanji “戚” is a phonetic-ideographic character (形声文字), which combines a semantic component with a phonetic component. The left part “戈” (meaning “spear”) suggests a connection to conflict or battle, while the right part “切” (meaning “to cut”) relates to the idea of severing ties or loss.
Radical: The radical of “戚” is “戈,” which is often associated with weapons or conflict.
3. Examples of Usage
Common Words and Phrases:
- 戚戚 (せきせき, sekiseki) – a term that expresses deep sorrow.
- 戚友 (せきゆう, sekiyuu) – a friend who shares in one’s grief.
Example Sentences in Daily Conversation:
- 彼の死は私にとって大きな戚です。 (かれのしはわたしにとっておおきなせきです。) – His death is a great sorrow for me.
- 戚を感じる時、友達と話すことが助けになります。 (せきをかんじるとき、ともだちとはなすことがたすけになります。) – When I feel grief, talking to friends helps.
4. Synonyms and Antonyms
Similar Kanji:
- 悲 (ひ, hi) – meaning “sadness,” which is more general and can refer to various forms of sorrow.
- 哀 (あい, ai) – meaning “lament” or “mourn,” which emphasizes a deeper emotional expression of grief.
Antonyms:
- 喜 (き, ki) – meaning “joy,” representing the opposite of sorrow.
5. Cultural and Historical Background
Relation to Japanese Culture: The concept of “戚” is deeply embedded in Japanese culture, where expressing grief and mourning is an important aspect of social interactions, especially during funerals and memorial services.
Proverbs and Idioms:
- 「戚を共にする」 (せきをともにする, seki wo tomoni suru) – meaning “to share in grief,” often used to express solidarity with someone who is mourning.