1. Overview of Meaning
The kanji “促” (soku) means “to urge,” “to promote,” or “to accelerate.” It conveys the idea of encouraging someone to take action or to hasten a process.
2. Formation and Radical
Formation of the Kanji: The kanji “促” is a phonetic-ideographic character (形声文字). It combines the radical for “to urge” (𠂉) with the phonetic component “soku” (即), which contributes to its pronunciation.
Radical: The radical of “促” is 𠂉, which relates to the concept of urging or promoting.
3. Examples of Usage
Common Words and Phrases: Some frequently used words that include “促” are:
- 促進 (そくしん, sokushin) – promotion, acceleration
- 促す (うながす, unagasu) – to urge, to encourage
Example Sentences in Daily Conversation:
- 彼はプロジェクトを促進するために働いています。
(He is working to promote the project.) - 先生は学生にもっと勉強を促しました。
(The teacher urged the students to study more.)
4. Synonyms and Antonyms
Similar Kanji: A kanji with a similar meaning is “奨” (しょう, shou), which means “to encourage” or “to promote,” but it often has a connotation of providing support or financial aid.
Antonyms: A kanji with an opposite meaning is “妨” (ぼう, bou), which means “to hinder” or “to obstruct.”
5. Cultural and Historical Background
Relation to Japanese Culture: The concept of urging or promoting is significant in Japanese culture, especially in contexts like teamwork and community support.
Proverbs and Idioms: One relevant proverb is “急がば回れ” (いそがばまわれ, isogaba maware), which means “If you want to hurry, take the long way around,” emphasizing the importance of careful planning and urging others to consider their actions thoughtfully.