1. Overview of Meaning
The kanji “泥” (pronounced “doro”) means “mud” or “dirt.” It refers to wet, soft earth that is often found after rain or in marshy areas. It can also symbolize something that is dirty or impure.
2. Formation and Radical
The kanji “泥” is a compound character that combines the elements of “水” (water) and “泥” (mud). The presence of “水” indicates its association with water, which is essential for mud formation. The radical for “泥” is “水,” which relates to water and liquids.
3. Examples of Usage
Common words and phrases that include “泥” are:
- 泥棒 (dorobō) – thief (literally “mud stick,” referring to someone who steals)
- 泥水 (doromizu) – muddy water
Example sentence in daily conversation:
「雨が降った後、庭は泥だらけになった。」
(After it rained, the garden became full of mud.)
4. Synonyms and Antonyms
Similar kanji with related meanings include:
- 土 (tsuchi) – soil or earth (refers to dry ground, while “泥” refers to wet, muddy earth)
Antonyms include:
- 清 (kiyo) – clean or pure (indicating the opposite of dirty or muddy)
5. Cultural and Historical Background
The kanji “泥” has cultural significance in Japan, often associated with farming and nature. In traditional Japanese culture, mud is seen as both a source of life and a symbol of struggle.
Proverbs and idioms that include “泥” are:
- 泥の中から蓮が咲く (doro no naka kara hasu ga saku) – “A lotus blooms from the mud,” meaning that beauty can arise from difficult circumstances.