1. Overview of Meaning
The kanji “削” (saku) means “to削る” or “to shave off.” It conveys the idea of removing or reducing something, often in a precise or careful manner.
2. Formation and Radical
Formation of the Kanji: The kanji “削” is a 形声文字 (phonetic-ideographic character), which combines the meaning of the radical with a phonetic component. The left part, “刀” (katana), represents a knife or cutting tool, while the right part, “石” (ishi), suggests the action of cutting or reducing something hard.
Radical: The radical of “削” is “刀” (katana), which relates to cutting or slicing.
3. Examples of Usage
Common Words and Phrases:
- 削除 (sakujo) – deletion
- 削り出す (kezuridasu) – to carve out
Example Sentences in Daily Conversation:
- この文を削除してください。 (Kono bun o sakujo shite kudasai.) – Please delete this sentence.
- 木を削り出して、彫刻を作ります。 (Ki o kezuridasu shite, choukoku o tsukurimasu.) – I will carve the wood to make a sculpture.
4. Synonyms and Antonyms
Similar Kanji:
- 切 (kiru) – to cut; while both “削” and “切” involve cutting, “削” emphasizes the act of shaving off or reducing, whereas “切” is more general.
Antonyms:
- 増 (zō) – to increase; this kanji represents the opposite action of adding or enlarging something.
5. Cultural and Historical Background
Relation to Japanese Culture: The concept of “削” is significant in traditional Japanese arts, such as woodworking and calligraphy, where precision in cutting and shaping is highly valued.
Proverbs and Idioms: One common saying is “削ることで美が生まれる” (Kezuru koto de bi ga umareru), which translates to “Beauty is born from削る,” emphasizing the importance of refinement and reduction in achieving beauty.