1. Overview of Meaning
The kanji “墜” (tsui) means “to fall” or “to drop.” It often conveys the idea of something descending or collapsing, whether physically or metaphorically.
2. Formation and Radical
Formation of the Kanji: The kanji “墜” is a compound character (会意文字) that combines elements to convey its meaning. It consists of the radical for “earth” (土) at the bottom, indicating a connection to the ground, and the character “堕” (da), which also relates to falling or dropping.
Radical: The radical of “墜” is 土 (tsuchi), which means “earth” or “ground.” This radical often appears in kanji related to land or physical substances.
3. Examples of Usage
Common Words and Phrases: Some common words that include “墜” are “墜落” (tsuiraku), meaning “fall” or “crash,” and “墜ちる” (ochiru), meaning “to fall” or “to drop.”
Example Sentence in Daily Conversation: “飛行機が墜落した” (Hikouki ga tsuiraku shita) translates to “The airplane crashed.” This sentence illustrates the use of “墜” in a real-life context.
4. Synonyms and Antonyms
Similar Kanji: A similar kanji is “落” (raku), which also means “to fall” but is often used in contexts like “落ちる” (ochiru) for “to fall” or “落下” (rakka) for “descent.” The difference lies in the nuance; “墜” often implies a more severe or uncontrolled fall.
Opposite Kanji: An antonym for “墜” is “昇” (shou), which means “to rise” or “to ascend.” This kanji represents the opposite action of falling.
5. Cultural and Historical Background
Connection to Japanese Culture: The concept of falling is significant in Japanese culture, often symbolizing failure or loss. The kanji “墜” can be found in various literary works and expressions that reflect these themes.
Proverbs and Idioms: One relevant proverb is “転んでもただでは起きぬ” (Koronde mo tada de wa okin), which means “Even if you fall, you won’t get up for free.” This saying emphasizes resilience in the face of setbacks, connecting to the idea of falling represented by “墜.”