1. Overview of Meaning
The kanji “千” (pronounced “sen” in Japanese) means “thousand.” It is used to represent the number 1000 and is often seen in various contexts, such as counting, measurements, and currency.
2. Formation and Radical
Formation of the Kanji: The kanji “千” is a pictogram that originally depicted a stylized representation of a thousand items. It belongs to the category of pictographs, which are characters that visually represent their meanings.
Radical: The radical for “千” is also “千,” which is used in other kanji related to numbers and counting.
3. Examples of Usage
Common Words and Phrases: Some common words that include “千” are:
- 千円 (せんえん, sen’en) – “one thousand yen”
- 千人 (せんにん, sennin) – “one thousand people”
Example Sentences in Daily Conversation:
- この商品は千円です。 (このしょうひんはせんえんです。) – “This product costs one thousand yen.”
- 彼は千人の前で演説しました。 (かれはせんにんのまえでえんぜつしました。) – “He gave a speech in front of a thousand people.”
4. Synonyms and Antonyms
Similar Kanji: A similar kanji is “万” (まん, man), which means “ten thousand.” The difference lies in the numerical value they represent.
Antonyms: There are no direct antonyms for “千,” as it is a specific numerical value. However, in terms of quantity, “一” (いち, ichi) meaning “one” can be considered an opposite in the context of counting.
5. Cultural and Historical Background
Relation to Japanese Culture: The concept of “thousand” has significance in Japanese culture, often symbolizing abundance and prosperity. It is frequently used in traditional contexts, such as festivals and ceremonies.
Proverbs and Idioms: One common saying is “千里の道も一歩から” (せんりのみちもいっぽから), which translates to “A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step,” emphasizing the importance of starting small to achieve great things.