1. Overview of Meaning
The kanji “尉” (pronounced “i” or “yuu”) generally means “to guard” or “to protect.” It is often associated with military or protective roles, such as a rank in the army or a guardian figure.
2. Formation and Radical
Formation of the Kanji: The kanji “尉” is a phonetic-ideographic character (形声文字), which combines a semantic component with a phonetic component. The left part, “尢,” suggests a connection to a person or a figure, while the right part indicates the sound.
Radical: The radical for “尉” is “尢,” which is related to the concept of a person or a figure, often used in characters that pertain to human actions or roles.
3. Examples of Usage
Common Words and Phrases: Some common words that include “尉” are “尉官” (i-kan, meaning “officer”) and “尉職” (i-shoku, meaning “guard duty”).
Example Sentences in Daily Conversation:
- 彼は尉官として任務を果たしています。 (He is fulfilling his duties as an officer.)
- この城は尉によって守られています。 (This castle is protected by a guard.)
4. Synonyms and Antonyms
Similar Kanji: A similar kanji is “守” (shuu), which also means “to protect” but is more commonly used in everyday contexts, such as “守る” (mamoru, meaning “to guard”).
Opposite Kanji: An antonym is “攻” (kou), which means “to attack.” This represents a contrasting action to guarding or protecting.
5. Cultural and Historical Background
Relation to Japanese Culture: The concept of guarding and protection is significant in Japanese culture, especially in the context of samurai and military history. The role of a “尉” can be seen in historical texts and military ranks.
Proverbs and Idioms: There are idioms that reflect the importance of protection, such as “守り神” (mamorigami, meaning “guardian deity”), which emphasizes the cultural value placed on guardianship and protection in various aspects of life.