1. Overview of Meaning
The kanji “僚” (ryou) generally means “colleague” or “companion.” It refers to a person who works alongside others, often in a professional context.
2. Formation and Radical
The kanji “僚” is a phonetic compound (形声文字) that combines the radical for “person” (亻) and the phonetic component “料” (ryou), which relates to materials or resources. The radical indicates that the character is related to people.
The radical is 亻, which signifies a person or human-related concepts.
3. Examples of Usage
Common words and phrases that include “僚” are:
- 同僚 (douryou) – colleague
- 僚友 (ryouyu) – companion or friend
Example sentence in daily conversation:
「私の同僚はとても優秀です。」(Watashi no douryou wa totemo yuushuu desu.) – “My colleague is very talented.”
4. Synonyms and Antonyms
Similar kanji with related meanings include:
- 仲間 (nakama) – companion or associate, which has a broader meaning that can include friends and peers.
- 友人 (yuujin) – friend, which emphasizes a personal relationship rather than a professional one.
Antonyms include:
- 敵 (teki) – enemy, which represents opposition or conflict.
5. Cultural and Historical Background
The kanji “僚” is often used in the context of Japanese work culture, where teamwork and collaboration are highly valued. It reflects the importance of having good relationships with colleagues in a professional setting.
Proverbs and idioms related to “僚” include:
- 「三人寄れば文殊の知恵」(Sannin yoreba Monju no chie) – “When three people gather, they have the wisdom of Monju,” which emphasizes the value of collaboration and teamwork.