1. Overview of Meaning
The kanji “申” (shin) primarily means “to state” or “to declare.” It is often associated with the act of expressing something verbally or in writing.
2. Formation and Radical
Formation of the Kanji: The kanji “申” is classified as a phono-semantic compound (形声文字), which means it combines a phonetic component with a semantic component. The character itself is derived from a pictograph representing a person speaking or making a statement.
Radical: The radical for “申” is “言” (gen), which relates to speech or words, emphasizing its connection to communication.
3. Examples of Usage
Common Words and Phrases: Some frequently used words that include “申” are:
- 申請 (しんせい, shinsei) – application
- 申告 (しんこく, shinkoku) – declaration
Example Sentences in Daily Conversation:
- 彼は新しいプロジェクトを申請しました。 (かれはあたらしいプロジェクトをしんせいしました。) – He applied for the new project.
- 税金の申告を忘れないでください。 (ぜいきんのしんこくをわすれないでください。) – Please do not forget to declare your taxes.
4. Synonyms and Antonyms
Similar Kanji: A similar kanji is “言” (gen), which also relates to speech but is more general and can refer to words or language in a broader sense.
Antonyms: An antonym could be “黙” (だまる, damaru), which means “to be silent” or “to not speak,” representing the opposite action of stating or declaring.
5. Cultural and Historical Background
Connection to Japanese Culture: The kanji “申” is often used in formal contexts, such as applications and declarations, reflecting the importance of communication and documentation in Japanese society.
Proverbs and Idioms: One common expression is “申すまでもなく” (もうすまでもなく, mōsumademonaku), which means “needless to say,” indicating that something is so obvious that it does not need to be stated.