1. Overview of Meaning
The kanji “欠” (ketsu) generally means “to lack” or “to be missing.” It conveys the idea of something that is incomplete or absent.
2. Formation and Radical
Formation of the Kanji: The kanji “欠” is classified as a pictogram, originally depicting a person with a missing part, symbolizing a deficiency or absence.
Radical: The radical for “欠” is also “欠,” which relates to the concept of lacking or being incomplete.
3. Examples of Usage
Common Words and Phrases: Some frequently used words that include “欠” are:
- 欠席 (kesseki) – absence
- 欠点 (kettan) – flaw or shortcoming
- 欠乏 (ketsubou) – scarcity or deficiency
Example Sentences in Daily Conversation:
- 彼は会議に欠席しました。 (Kare wa kaigi ni kesseki shimashita.) – He was absent from the meeting.
- この製品には欠点があります。 (Kono seihin ni wa kettan ga arimasu.) – This product has a flaw.
4. Synonyms and Antonyms
Similar Kanji: A kanji with a similar meaning is “不足” (busoku), which also means “insufficient” but is often used in contexts of quantity.
Opposite Kanji: The opposite of “欠” is “充” (juu), which means “to fill” or “to complete,” indicating fullness or sufficiency.
5. Cultural and Historical Background
Relation to Japanese Culture: The concept of “欠” is significant in Japanese culture, often reflecting the importance of completeness and harmony in various aspects of life.
Proverbs and Idioms: An example of an idiom that relates to “欠” is “欠けているところを補う” (kakete iru tokoro o oginau), which means “to make up for what is lacking,” emphasizing the value of addressing deficiencies.