1. Overview of Meaning
The kanji “疫” (eki) primarily means “epidemic” or “plague.” It refers to infectious diseases that spread rapidly among populations, often causing significant health crises.
2. Formation and Radical
The kanji “疫” is a compound character that combines elements of both phonetic and semantic components. It is classified as a 形声文字 (keisei moji), which means it is formed by a combination of a meaning component and a sound component. The left part, “疒” (ne), is a radical that relates to sickness or disease, while the right part, “易” (eki), contributes to the pronunciation.
The radical “疒” is commonly associated with illness, making it a fitting component for this kanji.
3. Examples of Usage
Common words and phrases that include “疫” are:
- 疫病 (ekibyō) – epidemic disease
- 感染症 (kansenshō) – infectious disease
Example sentence in daily conversation:
「最近、インフルエンザの疫が流行しています。」
(“Recently, the influenza epidemic is spreading.”)
4. Synonyms and Antonyms
Similar kanji with related meanings include:
- 病 (byō) – disease (more general, can refer to any illness)
- 感染 (kansen) – infection (focuses on the act of being infected)
Antonyms include:
- 健康 (kenkō) – health (the state of being free from illness)
5. Cultural and Historical Background
The concept of “疫” is deeply rooted in Japanese culture, particularly in relation to traditional medicine and public health. Throughout history, various epidemics have shaped societal responses and health policies.
Proverbs and idiomatic expressions related to “疫” include:
- 疫病神 (ekibyōgami) – a god of plague, often used to describe someone who brings misfortune.
This reflects the historical perception of epidemics as not just health crises but also as events with spiritual or moral implications.