1. Overview of Meaning
The kanji “争” (pronounced “sou” or “ara(u)”) means “to dispute,” “to fight,” or “to compete.” It conveys the idea of conflict or competition between individuals or groups.
2. Formation and Radical
Formation of the Kanji: The kanji “争” is classified as a phono-semantic compound (形声文字). It combines the semantic component “争” which relates to conflict, with a phonetic element that suggests its pronunciation.
Radical: The radical for “争” is “争” itself, which is used to indicate meanings related to conflict or competition.
3. Examples of Usage
Common Words and Phrases: Some frequently used words that include “争” are:
- 争い (あらそい, arasoi) – dispute, conflict
- 争奪 (そうだつ, soudatsu) – competition for possession
Example Sentences in Daily Conversation:
- 彼らはその問題について争っています。 (かれらはそのもんだいについてあらそっています。) – They are disputing over that issue.
- 争いを避けることが大切です。 (あらそいをさけることがたいせつです。) – It is important to avoid conflicts.
4. Synonyms and Antonyms
Similar Kanji: A kanji with a similar meaning is “闘” (とう, tou), which means “to fight” or “to struggle.” The difference lies in the context; “争” often refers to disputes or competitions, while “闘” emphasizes physical or intense fighting.
Antonyms: A kanji with an opposite meaning is “和” (わ, wa), which means “harmony” or “peace.” While “争” indicates conflict, “和” represents the absence of conflict and the presence of peace.
5. Cultural and Historical Background
Relation to Japanese Culture: The concept of “争” is significant in Japanese culture, where harmony is often valued over conflict. However, competition is also a part of various aspects of life, such as sports and business.
Proverbs and Idioms: One common proverb is “争いは無益” (あらそいはむえき, arasoi wa mueki), which translates to “Disputes are fruitless,” emphasizing the futility of conflict.