1. Overview of Meaning
The kanji “麗” (rei) means “beautiful” or “lovely.” It is often used to describe something that is aesthetically pleasing or charming.
2. Formation and Radical
Formation of the Kanji: The kanji “麗” is a phonetic-ideographic character (形声文字), which combines a meaning component and a phonetic component. The left part, “美” (bi), means “beauty,” while the right part, “麗” (rei), provides the pronunciation.
Radical: The radical of “麗” is “美” (bi), which is associated with beauty and aesthetics.
3. Examples of Usage
Common Words and Phrases: Some frequently used words that include “麗” are “麗しい” (uruwashii – beautiful) and “麗人” (reijin – beautiful person).
Example Sentences in Daily Conversation:
- 彼女は本当に麗しいです。 (Kanojo wa hontō ni uruwashii desu.) – She is truly beautiful.
- この景色は麗しいですね。 (Kono keshiki wa uruwashii desu ne.) – This scenery is lovely, isn’t it?
4. Synonyms and Antonyms
Similar Kanji: A similar kanji is “美” (bi), which also means “beauty,” but it is more general and does not carry the same connotation of charm or loveliness as “麗.”
Opposite Kanji: An antonym of “麗” is “醜” (shū), which means “ugly” or “unattractive.”
5. Cultural and Historical Background
Relation to Japanese Culture: The concept of beauty is deeply embedded in Japanese culture, and “麗” is often used in literature and poetry to evoke a sense of aesthetic appreciation.
Proverbs and Idioms: One common expression is “麗しきものは、心を和ませる” (Uruwashiki mono wa, kokoro o nagomaseru), which means “Beautiful things soothe the heart.”