1. Overview of Meaning
The kanji “掘” (pronounced “horu”) means “to dig” or “to excavate.” It is commonly used in contexts related to digging into the ground, such as for construction or archaeological purposes.
2. Formation and Radical
Formation of the Kanji: The kanji “掘” is a phono-semantic compound (形声文字), which means it combines both a phonetic and a semantic component. The left part “扌” (the hand radical) indicates an action related to the hand, while the right part “亀” (turtle) contributes to the pronunciation.
Radical: The radical of “掘” is “扌,” which is a variant of the radical for “hand” (手). This radical is often found in kanji related to actions performed by hand.
3. Examples of Usage
Common Words and Phrases: Some common words that include “掘” are:
- 掘る (horu) – to dig
- 掘削 (kussaku) – excavation
Example Sentences in Daily Conversation:
- 庭で穴を掘っています。 (Niwa de ana o hotteimasu.) – I am digging a hole in the garden.
- 考古学者は遺跡を掘っています。 (Kōkogakusha wa iseki o hotteimasu.) – The archaeologists are excavating the ruins.
4. Synonyms and Antonyms
Similar Kanji: A similar kanji is “掘削” (kussaku), which specifically refers to the act of excavation, often in a more formal or technical context.
Antonyms: An antonym for “掘” could be “埋める” (umeru), which means “to bury.” This represents the opposite action of digging.
5. Cultural and Historical Background
Relation to Japanese Culture: Digging has significant cultural implications in Japan, especially in agriculture and construction. The act of digging is often associated with hard work and perseverance.
Proverbs and Idioms: One relevant proverb is “掘るほどに出る” (horu hodo ni deru), which means “the more you dig, the more you find,” emphasizing the value of effort and persistence in uncovering knowledge or resources.