1. Overview of Meaning
The kanji “烈” (retsu) generally means “fierce,” “intense,” or “violent.” It conveys a sense of strong force or passion, often used to describe emotions, actions, or phenomena that are powerful and overwhelming.
2. Formation and Radical
Formation of the Kanji: The kanji “烈” is a phonetic-ideographic character (形声文字). It combines the radical for “fire” (火) on the bottom, which suggests intensity, with the phonetic component “列” (retsu) on the top, which contributes to its pronunciation.
Radical: The radical of “烈” is 火 (hi), meaning “fire,” which emphasizes the idea of heat and intensity associated with the character.
3. Examples of Usage
Common Words and Phrases: Some frequently used words that include “烈” are:
- 烈火 (rekka) – fierce fire
- 烈風 (rekifuu) – strong wind
- 烈士 (resshi) – a martyr or a person who died for a cause
Example Sentences in Daily Conversation:
- 彼の情熱は烈火のようだ。
(His passion is like a fierce fire.) - 烈風が吹いているので、外に出るのは危険です。
(It’s dangerous to go outside because a strong wind is blowing.)
4. Synonyms and Antonyms
Similar Kanji: A similar kanji is “激” (geki), which also means “intense” or “violent,” but it often refers to sudden or extreme actions, such as 激しい (hageshii) meaning “violent” or “fierce.”
Opposite Kanji: An antonym of “烈” is “穏” (on), which means “calm” or “gentle,” as in 穏やか (odayaka), meaning “peaceful” or “mild.”
5. Cultural and Historical Background
Relation to Japanese Culture: The kanji “烈” is often used in contexts that emphasize strength and determination, reflecting values in Japanese culture such as perseverance and intensity in one’s endeavors.
Proverbs and Idioms: One common idiom is “烈火のごとく” (rekka no gotoku), which means “like a fierce fire,” used to describe someone who is very passionate or angry.