1. Overview of Meaning
The kanji “億” (oku) represents the number one hundred million (100,000,000). It is commonly used in various contexts, especially in finance and population statistics, to denote large quantities.
2. Formation and Radicals
The kanji “億” is a phonetic compound character, which means it combines elements to convey both sound and meaning. The left part, “亻” (a variant of the radical for “person”), suggests a connection to human-related concepts, while the right part, “億,” indicates the numerical value.
The radical for “億” is “亻,” which is often associated with people or human actions.
3. Examples of Usage
Common words and phrases that include “億” are:
- 億万長者 (okuman chōja) – billionaire
- 億 (oku) – one hundred million
Example sentences in daily conversation:
- 彼は億万長者になりたいと言っていました。
(He said he wants to become a billionaire.) - 日本の人口は約一億人です。
(The population of Japan is about one hundred million people.)
4. Synonyms and Antonyms
Similar kanji with related meanings include:
- 千 (sen) – thousand, which represents a much smaller quantity.
- 万 (man) – ten thousand, which is also smaller than “億.”
Antonyms or contrasting kanji include:
- 少 (shō) – few or little, indicating a small quantity.
5. Cultural and Historical Background
The kanji “億” has significant relevance in Japanese culture, particularly in contexts involving wealth and population. It is often used in discussions about economic status and demographics.
Proverbs and idiomatic expressions that include “億” are less common, but the concept of “億” is often tied to aspirations of wealth and success in Japanese society.