1. Overview of Meaning
The kanji “毀” (pronounced “ki” in Japanese) means “to destroy” or “to damage.” It conveys the idea of causing harm or ruin to something.
2. Formation and Radical
Formation of the Kanji: The kanji “毀” is a phonetic compound (形声文字) that combines the radical for “hair” (毛) with a phonetic component that suggests its pronunciation.
Radical: The radical of “毀” is 毛, which relates to hair or fur, but in this context, it contributes to the overall meaning of destruction or damage.
3. Examples of Usage
Common Words and Phrases: Some common words that include “毀” are “毀損” (kison – damage) and “毀壊” (kikai – destruction).
Example Sentence in Daily Conversation: “彼の行動は私の信頼を毀損した。” (Kare no koudou wa watashi no shinrai o kison shita.) – “His actions damaged my trust.”
4. Synonyms and Antonyms
Similar Kanji: A similar kanji is “破” (ha), which also means “to break” or “to destroy,” but it often implies a more physical breaking rather than the broader concept of damage.
Opposite Kanji: The antonym of “毀” is “保” (ho), which means “to protect” or “to preserve,” indicating the act of keeping something safe from harm.
5. Cultural and Historical Background
Relation to Japanese Culture: The concept of destruction is often explored in Japanese literature and art, reflecting the transient nature of life and beauty.
Proverbs and Idioms: An example of a related proverb is “壊すは易く、作るは難し” (Kowasu wa yasuku, tsukuru wa muzukashi), which translates to “It is easy to destroy, but difficult to create,” emphasizing the value of creation over destruction.