1. Overview of Meaning
The kanji “損” (son) means “loss” or “damage.” It refers to a decrease in value, profit, or well-being, often in a financial or emotional context.
2. Formation and Radical
The kanji “損” is composed of two parts: the left side is the radical “扌” (te), which means “hand,” and the right side is “損” (son), which relates to the concept of loss. This kanji is classified as a 形声文字 (phono-semantic compound), where the left part indicates the meaning and the right part provides the pronunciation.
The radical “扌” is commonly associated with actions performed by the hand, emphasizing the physical aspect of causing or experiencing loss.
3. Examples of Usage
Common words and phrases that include “損” are:
- 損失 (そんしつ, sonshitsu) – loss
- 損害 (そんがい, songai) – damage
Example sentences in daily conversation:
- この投資は大きな損失をもたらしました。
(This investment resulted in a significant loss.) - 事故による損害は保険でカバーされます。
(The damage from the accident will be covered by insurance.)
4. Synonyms and Antonyms
Similar kanji with related meanings include:
- 損失 (そんしつ, sonshitsu) – loss, which specifically refers to the amount lost.
- 減少 (げんしょう, genshō) – decrease, which implies a reduction but not necessarily a loss.
Antonyms include:
- 利益 (りえき, rieki) – profit, which represents a gain or advantage.
- 得 (とく, toku) – gain, which indicates an increase in value or benefit.
5. Cultural and Historical Background
The concept of “損” is deeply rooted in Japanese culture, where loss is often associated with both material and emotional aspects of life. It reflects the importance of balance and the consequences of actions.
Proverbs and idiomatic expressions related to “損” include:
- 損して得取れ (そんしてとくとれ, son shite toku tore) – “You may incur a loss to gain something greater,” emphasizing the idea that sometimes one must endure a loss to achieve a greater benefit.