1. Overview of Meaning
The kanji “長” (pronounced “naga” or “cho”) primarily means “long” or “length.” It can also refer to “leader” or “chief” in certain contexts.
2. Formation and Radical
The kanji “長” is a phonetic-ideographic character, which means it combines both meaning and sound elements. The character is composed of a vertical line representing length and a horizontal line that suggests stability.
The radical of “長” is “長” itself, which is often associated with length or duration.
3. Examples of Usage
Common words and phrases that include “長” are:
- 長い (nagai) – long
- 長さ (nagasai) – length
- 長官 (chokan) – chief or director
Example sentences in daily conversation:
- この道はとても長いです。 (Kono michi wa totemo nagai desu.) – This road is very long.
- 彼は会社の長官です。 (Kare wa kaisha no chokan desu.) – He is the chief of the company.
4. Synonyms and Antonyms
Similar kanji with related meanings include:
- 太 (futo) – thick, which refers to width rather than length.
- 広 (hiro) – wide, which also relates to dimensions but in a different context.
Antonyms include:
- 短 (tan) – short, which directly contrasts with the meaning of “長.”
5. Cultural and Historical Background
The kanji “長” has significant ties to Japanese culture, often used in contexts related to leadership and authority. For example, the term “長寿” (chouju) means longevity, reflecting the cultural value placed on long life.
Proverbs and idioms that include “長” are:
- 長いものには巻かれろ (Nagai mono ni wa makare ro) – “If you can’t beat them, join them,” which emphasizes the importance of adapting to longer-lasting influences.