1. Overview of Meaning
The kanji “呼” (pronounced “ko” or “yo”) means “to call” or “to summon.” It is often used in contexts where someone is calling out to another person or summoning something.
2. Formation and Radical
The kanji “呼” is a phono-semantic compound (形声文字), which means it combines both a phonetic and a semantic component. The left part, “口” (kuchi), represents the mouth, indicating the action of calling, while the right part, “古” (ko), contributes to the pronunciation.
The radical of “呼” is 口, which is commonly associated with actions related to the mouth, such as speaking or calling.
3. Examples of Usage
Common words and phrases that include “呼” are:
- 呼ぶ (yobu) – to call
- 呼びかけ (yobikake) – a call or appeal
Example sentences in daily conversation:
- 彼は私の名前を呼んだ。 (Kare wa watashi no namae o yonda.) – He called my name.
- 友達を呼びかけた。 (Tomodachi o yobikaketa.) – I called out to my friend.
4. Synonyms and Antonyms
Similar kanji with related meanings include:
- 叫ぶ (sakebu) – to shout, which implies a louder or more urgent call.
- 呼び出す (yobidasu) – to summon, which often implies a more formal or official context.
Antonyms include:
- 黙る (damaru) – to be silent, which is the opposite of calling out.
5. Cultural and Historical Background
The kanji “呼” has significant ties to Japanese culture, particularly in the context of communication and social interaction. It reflects the importance of calling out to others in various social settings.
Proverbs and idiomatic expressions that include “呼” are:
- 呼び水 (yobimizu) – a term used to describe something that attracts attention or interest, often used in marketing.