1. Overview of Meaning
The kanji “郎” (rō) generally means “son” or “man,” often used to refer to a young man or a male in a familial context. It can also imply a sense of youthfulness or vigor.
2. Formation and Radical
Formation of the Kanji: The kanji “郎” is a phonetic compound (形声文字), which combines a semantic component and a phonetic component. The left part “亻” (a variant of “人,” meaning “person”) indicates that it relates to people, while the right part “郎” suggests the sound and meaning associated with a young man.
Radical: The radical of “郎” is “亻,” which is the radical for “person” and is commonly found in kanji related to human beings.
3. Examples of Usage
Common Words and Phrases: Some frequently used words that include “郎” are:
- 青年 (せいねん, seinen) – young man
- 若者 (わかもの, wakamono) – youth
- 郎党 (ろうとう, rōtō) – followers or retainers
Example Sentences in Daily Conversation:
- 彼は若い郎です。 (かれはわかいろうです。) – He is a young man.
- その郎はとても元気です。 (そのろうはとてもげんきです。) – That young man is very energetic.
4. Synonyms and Antonyms
Similar Kanji: A similar kanji is “男” (おとこ, otoko), which also means “man” but is more general and does not carry the connotation of youth.
Antonyms: An antonym would be “女” (おんな, onna), meaning “woman,” which represents the female gender.
5. Cultural and Historical Background
Relation to Japanese Culture: The kanji “郎” is often used in traditional contexts, such as in names or titles, reflecting the importance of lineage and family in Japanese culture.
Proverbs and Idioms: One common idiom is “若い郎は千里を走る” (わかいろうはせんりをはしる), which translates to “A young man can run a thousand miles,” emphasizing the vigor and potential of youth.