1. Overview of Meaning
The kanji “迫” (haku) generally means “to urge,” “to press,” or “to approach.” It conveys a sense of urgency or pressure in various contexts.
2. Formation and Radical
Formation of the Kanji: The kanji “迫” is a compound character (会意文字) that combines elements to convey its meaning. It consists of the radical “⺅” (which relates to the concept of “person”) and the character “迫,” which suggests a sense of closeness or urgency.
Radical: The radical for “迫” is “⺅” (person), indicating that the action often involves human interaction or influence.
3. Examples of Usage
Common Words and Phrases: Some frequently used words that include “迫” are:
- 迫力 (はくりょく, hakuryoku) – “impact” or “forcefulness”
- 迫害 (はくがい, hakugai) – “persecution”
Example Sentences in Daily Conversation:
- 彼は私に早く決断するように迫った。
(かれはわたしにはやくけつだんするようにはくった。)
“He urged me to make a decision quickly.” - その映画は迫力があった。
(そのえいがははくりょくがあった。)
“The movie had a strong impact.”
4. Synonyms and Antonyms
Similar Kanji: A kanji with a similar meaning is “促” (そく, soku), which means “to promote” or “to encourage.” The difference lies in the nuance; “迫” implies a stronger sense of urgency or pressure, while “促” is more about encouragement.
Antonyms: An antonym for “迫” is “退” (たい, tai), which means “to retreat” or “to withdraw,” indicating a movement away from something rather than towards it.
5. Cultural and Historical Background
Relation to Japanese Culture: The concept of urgency and pressure is prevalent in Japanese culture, where timely actions and decisions are often valued. The kanji “迫” reflects this cultural aspect.
Proverbs and Idioms: One relevant proverb is “急がば回れ” (いそがばまわれ, isogaba maware), which translates to “If you hurry, take the longer way.” This suggests that rushing can lead to mistakes, contrasting with the urgency implied by “迫.”