1. Overview of Meaning
The kanji 歌 (uta) means “song” or “to sing.” It represents the act of singing or the musical composition itself, often associated with emotions and artistic expression.
2. Formation and Radicals
The kanji 歌 is a phono-semantic compound (形声文字), which means it combines both a phonetic and a semantic component. The left part, 歌, is derived from the radical 歌 (meaning “to sing”), while the right part is 可 (ka), which contributes to the pronunciation.
The radical for 歌 is 歌, which indicates its meaning related to singing and music.
3. Examples of Usage
Common words and phrases that include 歌 are:
- 歌手 (kashu) – singer
- 歌詞 (kashi) – lyrics
- 歌う (utau) – to sing
Example sentence in daily conversation:
「彼は素晴らしい歌を歌います。」 (Kare wa subarashii uta o utaimasu.) – “He sings a wonderful song.”
4. Synonyms and Antonyms
Similar kanji with related meanings include:
- 詩 (shi) – poem (focuses more on the literary aspect rather than music)
- 音楽 (ongaku) – music (broader term that includes all forms of music, not just singing)
Antonyms include:
- 黙る (damaru) – to be silent (the opposite of singing)
5. Cultural and Historical Background
The kanji 歌 is deeply rooted in Japanese culture, where music and singing play a significant role in various traditions and festivals. It is often associated with the art of storytelling and emotional expression.
Proverbs and idiomatic expressions related to 歌 include:
- 歌うが如く (utau ga gotoku) – “as if singing,” used to describe something done with joy or enthusiasm.