1. Overview of Meaning
The kanji “厚” (pronounced “atsu”) means “thick” or “deep.” It is often used to describe physical thickness, as well as metaphorical depth, such as in relationships or emotions.
2. Formation and Radical
Formation of the Kanji: The kanji “厚” is a phonetic-ideographic character (形声文字). It combines the radical for “meat” (肉) on the left, which suggests richness or substance, with the phonetic component “亥” (pronounced “i”), which contributes to the pronunciation.
Radical: The radical of “厚” is 肉 (niku), which relates to meat or flesh, indicating a connection to physical substance.
3. Examples of Usage
Common Words and Phrases: Some frequently used words that include “厚” are:
- 厚さ (あつさ, atsusa) – thickness
- 厚い (あつい, atsui) – thick
- 厚情 (こうじょう, koujou) – deep affection
Example Sentences in Daily Conversation:
- この本は厚いです。 (Kono hon wa atsui desu.) – This book is thick.
- 彼は厚い友情を持っています。 (Kare wa atsui yuujou o motteimasu.) – He has a deep friendship.
4. Synonyms and Antonyms
Similar Kanji: A similar kanji is “深” (しん, shin), which means “deep.” While “厚” refers to physical thickness or depth in a broader sense, “深” specifically relates to depth in terms of space or emotion.
Opposite Kanji: The antonym of “厚” is “薄” (うす, usu), which means “thin” or “shallow.” This contrasts with “厚” in both physical and metaphorical contexts.
5. Cultural and Historical Background
Connection to Japanese Culture: The concept of “厚” is significant in Japanese culture, often associated with the idea of deep relationships and strong bonds among people. It reflects the value placed on emotional depth and sincerity.
Proverbs and Idioms: One common saying is “厚い信頼” (あついしんらい, atsui shinrai), meaning “deep trust,” which emphasizes the importance of trust in relationships.