1. Overview of Meaning
The kanji “以” (pronounced “i”) generally means “to use,” “by means of,” or “in order to.” It indicates a method or means of doing something.
2. Formation and Radical
Formation of the Kanji: The kanji “以” is classified as a phono-semantic compound (形声文字), which combines a phonetic component and a semantic component. The left side suggests the meaning related to “using” or “by means of.”
Radical: The radical for “以” is “人” (meaning “person”), which is often associated with actions performed by people.
3. Examples of Usage
Common Words and Phrases: Some frequently used words that include “以” are “以上” (ijou – “more than”), “以下” (ika – “less than”), and “以外” (igai – “except for”).
Example Sentences in Daily Conversation:
- この問題は、経験を以て解決できます。 (Kono mondai wa, keiken o ite kaiketsu dekimasu.) – “This problem can be solved by means of experience.”
- 彼はそれを以て成功を収めた。 (Kare wa sore o ite seikou o osameta.) – “He achieved success by that means.”
4. Synonyms and Antonyms
Similar Kanji: A similar kanji is “用” (you), which also means “to use” but is more focused on the act of using something rather than the means of doing so.
Opposite Kanji: An antonym is “無” (mu), which means “nothing” or “without,” indicating the absence of means or usage.
5. Cultural and Historical Background
Relation to Japanese Culture: The kanji “以” is often used in formal contexts and legal documents, reflecting its importance in expressing methods and means in Japanese society.
Proverbs and Idioms: One common idiom is “以心伝心” (ishin denshin), which means “communicating without words,” emphasizing the understanding between people without the need for verbal communication.