1. Overview of Meaning
The kanji “肉” (niku) means “meat” in English. It refers to the flesh of animals that is consumed as food. This character is commonly used in various contexts related to food and cooking.
2. Formation and Radical
Formation of the Kanji: The kanji “肉” is a pictogram that originally depicted the flesh of an animal. It belongs to the category of ideograms, which represent ideas or concepts visually.
Radical: The radical for “肉” is also “肉” (niku), which is used in other kanji related to meat or flesh, such as “腸” (chou, meaning intestine) and “脳” (nou, meaning brain).
3. Examples of Usage
Common Words and Phrases: Some frequently used words that include “肉” are:
- 肉料理 (nikuryouri) – meat dishes
- 肉屋 (nikuya) – butcher shop
- 牛肉 (gyuuniku) – beef
- 豚肉 (butaniku) – pork
Example Sentences in Daily Conversation:
- 今日は肉を焼きます。 (Kyou wa niku o yakimasu.) – I will grill meat today.
- この肉はとても新鮮です。 (Kono niku wa totemo shinsen desu.) – This meat is very fresh.
4. Synonyms and Antonyms
Similar Kanji: A similar kanji is “魚” (sakana), which means “fish.” While both refer to animal protein, “肉” specifically refers to land animals, whereas “魚” refers to aquatic animals.
Opposite Meaning Kanji: The kanji “野菜” (yasai), meaning “vegetable,” can be considered an antonym, as it refers to plant-based food, contrasting with “肉.”
5. Cultural and Historical Background
Relation to Japanese Culture: In Japanese culture, meat has been an important part of the diet, especially in modern times. Traditional dishes often include various types of meat, and festivals may feature meat-based foods.
Proverbs and Idioms: One common saying is “肉体美” (nikutai bi), which means “the beauty of the body,” emphasizing the appreciation of physical form, often in the context of health and fitness.