1. Overview of Meaning
The kanji “依” (pronounced “i”) generally means “to depend on” or “to rely on.” It conveys a sense of reliance or attachment to something or someone.
2. Formation and Radical
Formation of the Kanji: The kanji “依” is classified as a phono-semantic compound (形声文字), which means it combines both a phonetic and a semantic component. The left part suggests a meaning related to “to rely,” while the right part provides the phonetic sound.
Radical: The radical for “依” is “亻” (the person radical), indicating that the meaning often involves a person or a relationship.
3. Examples of Usage
Common Words and Phrases: Some frequently used words that include “依” are “依存” (izon – dependence) and “依頼” (irai – request).
Example Sentences in Daily Conversation:
- 彼は私に依存している。 (Kare wa watashi ni izon shite iru.) – He is dependent on me.
- この件について依頼があります。 (Kono ken ni tsuite irai ga arimasu.) – I have a request regarding this matter.
4. Synonyms and Antonyms
Similar Kanji: A similar kanji is “頼” (rai), which also means “to rely on” but has a stronger connotation of trust or request.
Opposite Kanji: An antonym is “自立” (jiritsu), meaning “independence,” which conveys the idea of standing on one’s own without reliance on others.
5. Cultural and Historical Background
Relation to Japanese Culture: The concept of reliance is significant in Japanese culture, where community and relationships are highly valued. The kanji “依” reflects this cultural aspect.
Proverbs and Idioms: One relevant proverb is “依存は弱さの証” (Izon wa yowasa no akashi), which translates to “Dependence is a sign of weakness,” highlighting the cultural tension between reliance and independence.