1. Overview of Meaning
The kanji “蚊” (ka) means “mosquito.” It refers to the small flying insect known for its ability to bite and suck blood from humans and animals.
2. Formation and Radicals
The kanji “蚊” is a phonetic-ideographic character (形声文字). It is composed of the radical “虫” (insect) on the left, which indicates that it is related to insects, and the phonetic component “可” (ka) on the right, which provides the pronunciation.
The radical “虫” is commonly found in kanji related to insects and small creatures.
3. Examples of Usage
Common words and phrases that include “蚊” are:
- 蚊取り線香 (かとりせんこう, katori senkō) – mosquito coil
- 蚊帳 (かや, kaya) – mosquito net
Example sentence in daily conversation:
「夏になると、蚊がたくさん出てきます。」
(Natsu ni naru to, ka ga takusan dete kimasu.)
This translates to: “In summer, many mosquitoes come out.”
4. Synonyms and Antonyms
Similar kanji with related meanings include:
- 蝿 (はえ, hae) – fly, which is another type of insect but differs in behavior and habitat.
Antonyms or contrasting kanji include:
- 蜂 (はち, hachi) – bee, which is an insect known for its role in pollination and producing honey.
5. Cultural and Historical Background
The kanji “蚊” is significant in Japanese culture, especially during the summer months when mosquitoes are prevalent. It is often associated with the discomfort of summer nights.
Proverbs and idiomatic expressions related to mosquitoes include:
- 「蚊の鳴くような声」 (かのなくようなこえ, ka no naku yō na koe) – “a voice as small as a mosquito’s buzz,” which describes a very quiet or timid voice.