1. Overview of Meaning
The kanji “遣” (pronounced “ken” or “yaku”) generally means “to send” or “to dispatch.” It conveys the idea of sending something or someone to a destination or for a purpose.
2. Formation and Radical
Formation of the Kanji: The kanji “遣” is a compound character (会意文字) that combines elements to convey its meaning. It consists of the radical for “to go” (行) and the character for “to use” (使), suggesting the action of sending someone to use something.
Radical: The radical of “遣” is 行 (gyō), which relates to movement or action.
3. Examples of Usage
Common Words and Phrases: Some frequently used words that include “遣” are:
- 遣い (つかい, tsukai) – use, employment
- 遣る (やる, yaru) – to do, to send
- 遣い物 (つかいもの, tsukaimono) – a gift or something sent to someone
Example Sentences in Daily Conversation:
- 友達に手紙を遣った。 (ともだちにてがみをやった。) – I sent a letter to my friend.
- 彼は仕事を遣るのが上手だ。 (かれはしごとをやるのがじょうずだ。) – He is good at getting things done.
4. Synonyms and Antonyms
Similar Kanji: A similar kanji is “送” (おくる, okuru), which also means “to send.” However, “送” emphasizes the act of sending something away, while “遣” can imply sending someone for a purpose.
Opposite Kanji: An antonym is “受” (うける, ukeru), which means “to receive.” This represents the action of taking something that has been sent.
5. Cultural and Historical Background
Relation to Japanese Culture: The kanji “遣” is often used in contexts related to communication and relationships, reflecting the importance of sending messages and gifts in Japanese culture.
Proverbs and Idioms: One common expression is “遣り甲斐がある” (やりがいがある, yarigai ga aru), meaning “worth doing,” which emphasizes the value of sending effort towards a meaningful task.