1. Overview of Meaning
The kanji 雄 (yuu) primarily means “male” or “masculine.” It is often associated with strength, bravery, and leadership qualities.
2. Formation and Radical
The kanji 雄 is a phonetic-ideographic character (形声文字), which means it combines both meaning and sound. The left part, 亻, is a radical that indicates a person, while the right part, 雄, contributes to the pronunciation and adds to the meaning of strength or masculinity.
The radical 亻 (the person radical) is commonly found in kanji related to human actions or characteristics.
3. Examples of Usage
Common words and phrases that include 雄 are:
- 雄大 (yuudai) – magnificent, grand
- 雄叫び (oosakebi) – a loud shout or roar
Example sentence in daily conversation:
「彼は雄大な山を見て感動した。」
(He was moved by the magnificent mountain.)
4. Synonyms and Antonyms
Similar kanji with related meanings include:
- 男 (otoko) – man; this term is more general and does not carry the connotation of strength.
- 勇 (yuu) – courage; while it also implies bravery, it focuses more on the quality of being brave rather than the masculine aspect.
Antonyms include:
- 雌 (shii) – female; this kanji represents the opposite gender.
5. Cultural and Historical Background
The kanji 雄 has significant ties to Japanese culture, often symbolizing the ideal qualities of a leader or warrior. In traditional Japanese society, masculinity was associated with strength and honor.
Proverbs and idiomatic expressions that include 雄 often reflect these cultural values. For example, the phrase 雄々しい (oshoshii) means “manly” or “heroic,” emphasizing the virtues of bravery and strength.