1. Overview of Meaning
The kanji “謙” (ken) means “humble” or “modest.” It conveys the idea of being self-effacing and not boasting about one’s achievements or qualities.
2. Formation and Radical
Formation of the Kanji: The kanji “謙” is a compound character, which means it is formed by combining different elements. It consists of the radical “言” (gen), which relates to speech, and the character “謙” itself, which conveys the concept of humility.
Radical: The radical of “謙” is “言” (gen), indicating that it is related to language or speech.
3. Examples of Usage
Common Words and Phrases: Some common words that include “謙” are “謙虚” (kenkyo), meaning “humility,” and “謙遜” (kenson), meaning “modesty.”
Example Sentences in Daily Conversation:
- 彼はとても謙虚な人です。 (Kare wa totemo kenkyo na hito desu.) – He is a very humble person.
- 謙遜することは大切です。 (Kenson suru koto wa taisetsu desu.) – It is important to be modest.
4. Synonyms and Antonyms
Similar Kanji: A similar kanji is “控えめ” (hikaeme), which also means “modest” but can imply being reserved or not drawing attention to oneself.
Opposite Kanji: The opposite of “謙” is “傲” (go), which means “arrogant” or “proud,” indicating a lack of humility.
5. Cultural and Historical Background
Relation to Japanese Culture: In Japanese culture, humility is highly valued, and the concept of “謙” is often emphasized in social interactions and etiquette.
Proverbs and Idioms: A common proverb is “謙虚は美徳” (Kenkyo wa bitoku), which translates to “Humility is a virtue,” highlighting the importance of being humble in society.