1. Overview of Meaning
The kanji “鉛” (pronounced “en” in Japanese) means “lead,” which is a heavy metal element. It is commonly used in various contexts, including chemistry and manufacturing.
2. Formation and Radical
The kanji “鉛” is a phono-semantic compound (形声文字), which means it combines both a phonetic and a semantic component. The left part, “金” (meaning “metal”), indicates that it is related to a metal, while the right part, “艶” (which contributes to the pronunciation), does not have a direct meaning related to lead.
The radical of “鉛” is “金” (metal), which is commonly found in kanji related to metals and minerals.
3. Examples of Usage
Common words and phrases that include “鉛” are:
- 鉛筆 (enpitsu) – pencil
- 鉛管 (enkann) – lead pipe
Example sentence in daily conversation:
「この鉛筆はとても書きやすいです。」(Kono enpitsu wa totemo kakiyasui desu.) – “This pencil is very easy to write with.”
4. Synonyms and Antonyms
Similar kanji with related meanings include:
- 銅 (dou) – copper, which is another metal but has different properties and uses.
Antonyms include:
- 非金属 (hikinzoku) – non-metal, which refers to elements that are not metals.
5. Cultural and Historical Background
In Japanese culture, lead has historical significance, especially in traditional crafts and manufacturing. However, due to health concerns, its use has decreased in modern times.
Proverbs and idiomatic expressions related to “鉛” are rare, but the kanji is often associated with caution due to the toxic nature of lead.