1. Overview of Meaning
The kanji “奨” (shou) means “to encourage” or “to promote.” It is often associated with support, motivation, and the act of fostering growth or development in various contexts, such as education and business.
2. Formation and Radical
Formation of the Kanji: The kanji “奨” is a phonetic compound (形声文字) that combines the elements of “奨” (to encourage) and “賞” (to reward). The left part “奨” suggests the idea of encouragement, while the right part provides the phonetic sound.
Radical: The radical of “奨” is “女” (woman), which is often associated with nurturing and support, reflecting the kanji’s meaning of encouragement.
3. Examples of Usage
Common Words and Phrases:
- 奨学金 (shougakukin) – scholarship
- 奨励 (shoure) – encouragement
Example Sentences in Daily Conversation:
- 彼は学生に奨学金を奨励しています。 (Kare wa gakusei ni shougakukin o shoure shiteimasu.) – He is encouraging students to apply for scholarships.
- 私たちは新しいプロジェクトを奨励しています。 (Watashitachi wa atarashii purojekuto o shoure shiteimasu.) – We are promoting the new project.
4. Synonyms and Antonyms
Similar Kanji:
- 促 (soku) – to urge or prompt, which emphasizes a more immediate action compared to “奨.”
- 助 (jo) – to help, which focuses on assistance rather than encouragement.
Antonyms:
- 妨 (bou) – to hinder or obstruct, which is the opposite of encouraging or promoting.
5. Cultural and Historical Background
Relation to Japanese Culture: The concept of encouragement is deeply rooted in Japanese culture, where support and motivation are often emphasized in educational and professional settings. The kanji “奨” reflects this cultural value.
Proverbs and Idioms:
- 「奨励の言葉」(shoure no kotoba) – words of encouragement, often used to inspire others.