1. Overview of Meaning
The kanji “煩” (pronounced “han” or “wazurau”) generally means “to worry” or “to trouble.” It conveys a sense of annoyance or disturbance, often related to mental or emotional stress.
2. Formation and Radical
Formation of the Kanji: The kanji “煩” is a phono-semantic compound (形声文字), which means it combines both a phonetic and a semantic component. The left part “火” (fire) suggests a connection to heat or intensity, while the right part “盤” (a phonetic element) provides the pronunciation.
Radical: The radical of “煩” is “火” (fire), which often relates to heat or burning sensations, symbolizing the intensity of worry or trouble.
3. Examples of Usage
Common Words and Phrases: Some frequently used words that include “煩” are:
- 煩悩 (ばんのう, “bannou”) – worldly desires or troubles
- 煩わしい (わずらわしい, “wazurawashii”) – troublesome or annoying
Example Sentences in Daily Conversation:
- 最近、仕事のことで煩わしいことが多いです。
(Recently, I have been troubled by many things at work.) - 彼の煩悩を理解するのは難しい。
(It is difficult to understand his worldly desires.)
4. Synonyms and Antonyms
Similar Kanji: A similar kanji is “悩” (なやむ, “nayamu”), which also means “to worry” but often implies a deeper emotional struggle or distress.
Opposite Kanji: An antonym is “安心” (あんしん, “anshin”), which means “relief” or “peace of mind,” indicating the absence of worry or trouble.
5. Cultural and Historical Background
Relation to Japanese Culture: The concept of “煩” is deeply rooted in Japanese culture, where mental and emotional well-being is often emphasized. The idea of being troubled by worldly desires is a common theme in Buddhist teachings.
Proverbs and Idioms: One relevant proverb is “煩悩即菩提” (ばんのうそくぼだい, “bannou soku bodai”), which translates to “worldly desires are enlightenment,” suggesting that understanding and overcoming one’s troubles can lead to personal growth.