1. Overview of Meaning
The kanji “謎” (nazo) means “mystery” or “riddle.” It refers to something that is difficult to understand or explain, often involving an element of enigma or puzzlement.
2. Formation and Radicals
The kanji “謎” is a compound character, formed by combining the radical “言” (gen), which relates to speech or words, and the character “那” (na), which adds a phonetic element. This combination suggests a mystery that is expressed through words.
The radical “言” indicates that the character is related to language or communication, emphasizing the idea that mysteries often involve spoken or written clues.
3. Examples of Usage
Common words and phrases that include “謎” are:
- 謎解き (nazo-toki) – solving a mystery
- 謎の人物 (nazo no jinbutsu) – a mysterious person
Example sentence in daily conversation:
「この事件はまだ謎のままだ。」 (Kono jiken wa mada nazo no mama da.) – “This case remains a mystery.”
4. Synonyms and Antonyms
Similar kanji with related meanings include:
- 秘密 (himitsu) – secret, which implies something hidden but not necessarily puzzling.
- 謎 (nazo) – mystery, which suggests a puzzle or something that needs to be solved.
Antonyms include:
- 明白 (meihaku) – clear or obvious, indicating something that is easily understood.
5. Cultural and Historical Background
The concept of “謎” is deeply rooted in Japanese culture, often appearing in literature, folklore, and traditional games. Mysteries are a common theme in Japanese storytelling, from ancient tales to modern media.
Proverbs and idiomatic expressions related to “謎” include:
- 「謎は解けるまでが面白い。」 (Nazo wa tokeru made ga omoshiroi.) – “The mystery is interesting until it is solved.”
This reflects the idea that the process of unraveling a mystery can be as engaging as the resolution itself.