1. Overview of Meaning
The kanji “運” (un) primarily means “luck” or “fortune.” It can also refer to “movement” or “transportation,” indicating the idea of something being carried or moved along by fate or chance.
2. Formation and Radical
The kanji “運” is a compound character (会意文字) that combines the elements of “運” (movement) and “車” (car or vehicle). The character suggests the idea of a vehicle being moved by luck or fortune.
The radical of “運” is “車” (kuruma), which relates to vehicles and movement.
3. Examples of Usage
Common words and phrases that include “運” are:
- 運命 (unmei) – fate or destiny
- 運転 (unten) – driving
- 運がいい (un ga ii) – to be lucky
Example sentences in daily conversation:
- 今日は運がいいです。 (Kyou wa un ga ii desu.) – I am lucky today.
- 彼の運命は変わった。 (Kare no unmei wa kawatta.) – His fate has changed.
4. Synonyms and Antonyms
Similar kanji with related meanings include:
- 幸運 (kouun) – good luck, which emphasizes a positive aspect of fortune.
- 運勢 (unsei) – fortune or luck in a more general sense, often used in astrology.
Antonyms include:
- 不運 (fuun) – misfortune or bad luck.
5. Cultural and Historical Background
The concept of “運” is deeply rooted in Japanese culture, where luck and fate play significant roles in daily life and decision-making. Many traditional practices, such as drawing omikuji (fortune slips) at shrines, reflect the importance of luck.
Proverbs and idiomatic expressions include:
- 運を天に任せる (un o ten ni makaseru) – to leave one’s luck to heaven, meaning to accept whatever fate brings.
- 運が悪い (un ga warui) – to have bad luck, often used to describe unfortunate situations.