1. Overview of Meaning
The kanji “汁” (shiru) means “soup” or “juice.” It refers to a liquid that is often derived from cooking or extracting flavors from ingredients.
2. Formation and Radical
Formation of the Kanji: The kanji “汁” is a phonetic-ideographic character (形声文字). It combines the meaning of liquid with a phonetic component to convey its pronunciation.
Radical: The radical for “汁” is “水” (mizu), which means “water.” This radical is commonly associated with words related to liquids.
3. Examples of Usage
Common Words and Phrases: Some frequently used words that include “汁” are “味噌汁” (misoshiru – miso soup) and “果汁” (kajuu – fruit juice).
Example Sentences in Daily Conversation:
- 「今夜は味噌汁を作ります。」(Kon’ya wa misoshiru o tsukurimasu.) – “I will make miso soup tonight.”
- 「この果汁はとてもおいしいです。」(Kono kajuu wa totemo oishii desu.) – “This fruit juice is very delicious.”
4. Synonyms and Antonyms
Similar Kanji: A similar kanji is “液” (eki), which means “liquid” but is often used in a more scientific context, such as “液体” (ekitai – liquid substance).
Opposite Kanji: An antonym is “固” (kota), which means “solid,” representing a state of matter that is not liquid.
5. Cultural and Historical Background
Relation to Japanese Culture: “汁” is an essential part of Japanese cuisine, with various types of soups and broths being staples in meals.
Proverbs and Idioms: One common saying is “汁が出る” (shiru ga deru), which means “to be very flavorful” or “to be rich in taste,” often used to describe delicious food.