1. Overview of Meaning
The kanji “渉” (shō) primarily means “to cross” or “to traverse,” often used in the context of crossing water or navigating through something. It can also imply the act of engaging or interacting with something.
2. Formation and Radical
Formation of the Kanji: The kanji “渉” is a phonetic-ideographic character (形声文字), which combines a semantic component related to water (氵) and a phonetic component (摂) that suggests its pronunciation.
Radical: The radical of “渉” is the water radical (氵), which is commonly found in kanji related to water or liquid.
3. Examples of Usage
Common Words and Phrases: Some common words that include “渉” are “渉外” (shōgai – international relations) and “渉猟” (shōryō – to hunt or to explore).
Example Sentence in Daily Conversation: “彼は新しいビジネスのために海外に渉る予定です。” (Kare wa atarashii bijinesu no tame ni kaigai ni shōru yotei desu – He plans to traverse overseas for a new business.)
4. Synonyms and Antonyms
Similar Kanji: A similar kanji is “渡” (wataru), which also means “to cross” but is more commonly used for crossing land or bridges rather than water.
Antonyms: An antonym could be “留” (ryū), which means “to stay” or “to remain,” indicating a lack of movement or crossing.
5. Cultural and Historical Background
Relation to Japanese Culture: The concept of crossing or traversing is significant in Japanese culture, often symbolizing personal growth or overcoming obstacles.
Proverbs and Idioms: An example of a related idiom is “川を渡る” (kawa o wataru – to cross the river), which can symbolize facing challenges or making significant life changes.