1. Overview of Meaning
The kanji “憾” (kan) expresses a sense of regret, remorse, or disappointment. It conveys feelings of sorrow over something that has happened or a missed opportunity.
2. Formation and Radical
Formation of the Kanji: The kanji “憾” is a compound character, combining elements that represent emotions and thoughts. It is classified as a 形声文字 (phonetic-ideographic character), where the left part indicates the meaning related to emotions, and the right part provides the phonetic sound.
Radical: The radical for “憾” is “心” (kokoro), which means “heart” or “mind,” indicating that the character is related to feelings and emotions.
3. Examples of Usage
Common Words and Phrases: Some common words that include “憾” are “憾み” (kanbimi – regret) and “憾事” (kanji – regrettable matter).
Example Sentences in Daily Conversation:
- 彼はその決定に憾を感じている。 (Kare wa sono kettei ni kan o kanjite iru.) – He feels regret about that decision.
- 私たちは憾事を避けるべきだ。 (Watashitachi wa kanji o sakeru beki da.) – We should avoid regrettable matters.
4. Synonyms and Antonyms
Similar Kanji: A similar kanji is “悔” (kai), which also means regret but often implies a deeper sense of remorse or sorrow over one’s actions.
Opposite Kanji: An antonym is “満” (man), which means satisfaction or fulfillment, representing a positive feeling as opposed to regret.
5. Cultural and Historical Background
Relation to Japanese Culture: The concept of “憾” is significant in Japanese culture, where expressing regret or remorse is often seen as a virtue, reflecting humility and self-awareness.
Proverbs and Idioms: One relevant proverb is “後悔先に立たず” (Kōkai saki ni tatazu), which translates to “Regret does not come before,” emphasizing that one should think carefully before acting to avoid future regrets.