1. Overview of Meaning
The kanji “割” (pronounced “wari”) generally means “to divide” or “to split.” It is often used in contexts related to division, discounting, or breaking something into parts.
2. Formation and Radical
Formation of the Kanji: The kanji “割” is a compound character (会意文字) that combines the elements of “刀” (sword) and “口” (mouth), symbolizing the action of cutting or dividing.
Radical: The radical for “割” is “刀” (sword), which relates to cutting or dividing actions.
3. Examples of Usage
Common Words and Phrases: Some frequently used words that include “割” are:
- 割引 (わりびき, waribiki) – discount
- 割り算 (わりざん, warizan) – division (in mathematics)
- 割れる (われる, wareru) – to break or to crack
Example Sentences in Daily Conversation:
- この商品は20%割引です。 (This product is 20% off.)
- 彼は割り算が得意です。 (He is good at division.)
4. Synonyms and Antonyms
Similar Kanji: A similar kanji is “分” (ぶん, bun), which also means “to divide” but is more commonly used in contexts of sharing or distributing rather than cutting.
Antonyms: An antonym of “割” is “合” (あう, au), which means “to combine” or “to fit together,” representing the opposite action of dividing.
5. Cultural and Historical Background
Relation to Japanese Culture: The concept of division is significant in Japanese culture, especially in contexts like sharing food or resources. The idea of “割” is often associated with fairness and balance.
Proverbs and Idioms: One common saying is “割に合わない” (わりにあわない, wari ni awanai), which means “not worth it” or “not a fair deal,” reflecting the cultural emphasis on value and fairness in transactions.