1. Overview of Meaning
The kanji “肝” (kan) primarily means “liver.” In a broader sense, it can also refer to the innermost part of something or the essence of a matter. It is often associated with courage and determination in various contexts.
2. Formation and Radical
Formation of the Kanji: The kanji “肝” is a phono-semantic compound (形声文字), which means it combines both a phonetic and a semantic component. The left part, “肉” (meaning “meat” or “flesh”), indicates that it is related to a body part, while the right part provides the pronunciation.
Radical: The radical for “肝” is “肉” (niku), which is commonly associated with meat or flesh-related characters.
3. Examples of Usage
Common Words and Phrases:
- 肝臓 (kanzō) – liver
- 肝心 (kanjin) – essential, crucial
Example Sentences in Daily Conversation:
- 彼は肝心なことを忘れた。 (Kare wa kanjin na koto o wasureta.) – He forgot the essential thing.
- 肝臓は体にとって重要な臓器です。 (Kanzō wa karada ni totte jūyō na zōki desu.) – The liver is an important organ for the body.
4. Synonyms and Antonyms
Similar Kanji:
- 胆 (tan) – gallbladder; it refers to the gall or courage but has a different connotation related to bravery.
Antonyms:
- 心 (shin) – heart; while “肝” relates to the physical aspect, “心” refers to the emotional or spiritual aspect.
5. Cultural and Historical Background
Relation to Japanese Culture: In Japanese culture, the liver is often associated with courage and determination. The phrase “肝を据える” (kan o sueru) means to be resolute or to have a strong will.
Proverbs and Idioms: One common idiom is “肝に銘じる” (kan ni meijiru), which means to engrave something in one’s heart, indicating a strong commitment to remembering or adhering to something important.