1. Overview of Meaning
The kanji “乾” (kan) primarily means “dry” or “to dry.” It can also refer to the concept of “heaven” in certain contexts, particularly in traditional Chinese philosophy and the I Ching (Book of Changes).
2. Formation and Radical
Formation of the Kanji: The kanji “乾” is a phonetic-ideographic character (形声文字), which combines a meaning component and a phonetic component. The top part represents the concept of “dryness,” while the bottom part suggests its pronunciation.
Radical: The radical for “乾” is “干” (kan), which also means “to dry” or “to interfere.” This radical is often associated with actions related to dryness or the sky.
3. Examples of Usage
Common Words and Phrases: Some frequently used words that include “乾” are:
- 乾燥 (かんそう, kansou) – dryness
- 乾杯 (かんぱい, kanpai) – cheers (used when toasting)
Example Sentences in Daily Conversation:
- この服はすぐに乾きます。 (このふくはすぐにかわきます。) – This clothing dries quickly.
- 友達と乾杯しました。 (ともだちとかんぱいしました。) – I toasted with my friends.
4. Synonyms and Antonyms
Similar Kanji: A similar kanji is “燥” (そう, sou), which also means “dry,” but it is often used in more specific contexts, such as “乾燥” (kansou) for “dryness.”
Antonyms: The antonym of “乾” is “湿” (しめ, shime), which means “wet” or “moist.”
5. Cultural and Historical Background
Relation to Japanese Culture: In Japanese culture, “乾” is often associated with the concept of the heavens and is used in various traditional practices, including tea ceremonies and festivals.
Proverbs and Idioms: One common idiom is “乾杯” (kanpai), which literally means “dry cup” and is used to express good wishes when drinking with others.