1. Overview of Meaning
The kanji “零” (rei) means “zero” or “nothing.” It represents the concept of emptiness or the absence of quantity.
2. Formation and Radical
Formation of the Kanji: The kanji “零” is a phono-semantic compound, which means it combines both phonetic and semantic elements. It is derived from the character “霊” (rei), which relates to spirit or soul, but in this context, it signifies the absence of something.
Radical: The radical for “零” is “零” itself, which is unique as it represents the concept of zero.
3. Examples of Usage
Common Words and Phrases:
- 零点 (れいてん, reiten) – “zero point”
- 零下 (れいか, reika) – “below zero”
Example Sentences in Daily Conversation:
- 今の気温は零度です。 (いまのきおんはれいどです。) – “The current temperature is zero degrees.”
- 彼のスコアは零でした。 (かれのすこあはれいでした。) – “His score was zero.”
4. Synonyms and Antonyms
Similar Kanji:
- 無 (む, mu) – “nothing” or “without,” which emphasizes the absence of existence.
- 空 (くう, kuu) – “empty,” which refers to a void or lack of content.
Antonyms:
- 一 (いち, ichi) – “one,” which represents the first whole number and the concept of existence.
- 多 (た, ta) – “many,” which signifies abundance or a large quantity.
5. Cultural and Historical Background
Relation to Japanese Culture: The concept of “zero” is significant in Japanese culture, especially in mathematics and philosophy, where it represents the idea of void and potential.
Proverbs and Idioms:
- 零から始める (れいからはじめる, rei kara hajimeru) – “to start from zero,” meaning to begin anew or from scratch.