1. Overview of Meaning
The kanji “欺” (ki) means “to deceive” or “to cheat.” It conveys the idea of misleading someone or tricking them into believing something that is not true.
2. Formation and Radical
Formation of the Kanji: The kanji “欺” is a compound character (会意文字) that combines elements to convey its meaning. It consists of the radical for “to deceive” and other components that enhance its meaning.
Radical: The radical for “欺” is “詐” (za), which relates to deception and fraud.
3. Examples of Usage
Common Words and Phrases: Some frequently used words that include “欺” are “欺瞞” (giman – deception) and “欺く” (azamu – to deceive).
Example Sentence in Daily Conversation: “彼は私を欺いた。” (Kare wa watashi o azamuita.) – “He deceived me.”
4. Synonyms and Antonyms
Similar Kanji: A similar kanji is “詐” (za), which also means “to deceive” but often has a stronger connotation of fraud or trickery.
Opposite Kanji: The opposite kanji is “信” (shin), which means “to trust” or “to believe,” representing honesty and integrity.
5. Cultural and Historical Background
Relation to Japanese Culture: In Japanese culture, deception is often viewed negatively, and the concept of “欺” is associated with dishonesty and betrayal.
Proverbs and Idioms: An example of a related proverb is “欺く者は欺かれる” (Azamuku mono wa azukareru), which means “Those who deceive will be deceived,” highlighting the idea that dishonesty can backfire.