1. Overview of Meaning
The kanji “嫡” (pronounced “taku” in Japanese) primarily means “legitimate” or “directly descended.” It is often used in the context of family lineage, particularly to refer to the legitimate child or heir in a family.
2. Formation and Radical
Formation of the Kanji: The kanji “嫡” is a compound character that combines elements of both phonetic and semantic components. It is classified as a 形声文字 (phonetic-ideographic character), where the left part indicates meaning and the right part provides the pronunciation.
Radical: The radical for “嫡” is “女” (woman), which often relates to female figures or aspects in kanji characters.
3. Examples of Usage
Common Words and Phrases: Some common terms that include “嫡” are “嫡子” (taku-shi, meaning legitimate child) and “嫡流” (taku-ryū, meaning legitimate lineage).
Example Sentences in Daily Conversation:
- 彼は嫡子として家業を継ぐことになった。 (He will inherit the family business as the legitimate child.)
- 嫡流の家系は長い歴史を持っている。 (The legitimate lineage has a long history.)
4. Synonyms and Antonyms
Similar Kanji: A similar kanji is “庶” (sho), which means “illegitimate” or “common.” The difference lies in the legitimacy of the lineage; “嫡” refers to legitimate heirs, while “庶” refers to those who are not.
Opposite Kanji: The opposite of “嫡” is “庶” (sho), emphasizing the distinction between legitimate and illegitimate status.
5. Cultural and Historical Background
Relation to Japanese Culture: In Japanese culture, the concept of “嫡” is significant in discussions about family hierarchy and inheritance. It reflects the traditional values placed on bloodlines and legitimate heirs.
Proverbs and Idioms: While there may not be specific proverbs that directly use “嫡,” the importance of legitimate lineage is often implied in discussions about family honor and responsibilities.