1. Overview of Meaning
The kanji “稽” (kei) generally means “to examine,” “to investigate,” or “to reflect.” It is often associated with the idea of careful consideration or scrutiny.
2. Formation and Radical
Formation of the Kanji: The kanji “稽” is a phonetic-ideographic character (形声文字). It combines the radical for “rice” (禾) with a phonetic component that suggests its pronunciation.
Radical: The radical of “稽” is “禾,” which relates to rice or grain, indicating a connection to agriculture or cultivation.
3. Examples of Usage
Common Words and Phrases: Some common words that include “稽” are “稽古” (keiko), meaning “practice” or “training,” and “稽査” (keisa), meaning “inspection.”
Example Sentence in Daily Conversation: “彼は毎日稽古をしている。” (Kare wa mainichi keiko o shite iru.) translates to “He practices every day.”
4. Synonyms and Antonyms
Similar Kanji: A similar kanji is “考” (kou), which means “to think” or “to consider.” While both involve reflection, “考” emphasizes thought processes, whereas “稽” focuses more on examination and scrutiny.
Opposite Kanji: An antonym could be “無視” (mushi), meaning “to ignore,” as it represents a lack of examination or consideration.
5. Cultural and Historical Background
Connection to Japanese Culture: The concept of “稽” is significant in Japanese culture, particularly in traditional arts such as martial arts and tea ceremonies, where careful practice and reflection are essential.
Proverbs and Idioms: One relevant proverb is “稽古は力なり” (Keiko wa chikara nari), which means “Practice is power,” emphasizing the importance of diligent practice and reflection in achieving mastery.