1. Overview of Meaning
The kanji “希” (ki) generally means “hope,” “rare,” or “uncommon.” It conveys a sense of longing or desire for something that is not easily attainable.
2. Formation and Radical
Formation of the Kanji: The kanji “希” is a phonetic compound (形声文字), which combines a semantic component and a phonetic component. The left part, “希,” suggests the meaning related to rarity or hope, while the right part indicates the pronunciation.
Radical: The radical for “希” is “希” itself, which is also the entire character.
3. Examples of Usage
Common Words and Phrases: Some frequently used words that include “希” are “希望” (kibou – hope) and “希少” (kishou – rare).
Example Sentences in Daily Conversation:
- 彼は新しい仕事に希望を持っています。(Kare wa atarashii shigoto ni kibou o motteimasu.) – He has hope for his new job.
- この植物は希少な種類です。(Kono shokubutsu wa kishou na shurui desu.) – This plant is a rare species.
4. Synonyms and Antonyms
Similar Kanji: A similar kanji is “望” (bou), which also means “hope” but carries a stronger connotation of desire or aspiration.
Antonyms: An antonym for “希” is “豊” (yutaka), which means “abundant” or “plentiful,” indicating the opposite of rarity.
5. Cultural and Historical Background
Relation to Japanese Culture: The concept of “希” is deeply embedded in Japanese culture, where hope and aspiration are often emphasized in literature and art.
Proverbs and Idioms: One common saying is “希少価値” (kishou kachi), which means “rare value,” highlighting the importance of rarity in determining worth.