1. Overview of Meaning
The kanji “妊” (pronounced “nin”) primarily means “pregnancy” or “to conceive.” It is used to refer to the state of being pregnant or the process of conception.
2. Formation and Radical
The kanji “妊” is a phonetic compound (形声文字) that combines the radical for “woman” (女) on the left side, indicating its relation to female aspects, and the phonetic component “忍” (pronounced “nin”) on the right side, which contributes to its pronunciation.
The radical “女” signifies that the character is related to women or femininity, which is fitting given its meaning.
3. Examples of Usage
Common words and phrases that include “妊” are:
- 妊娠 (にんしん, ninshin) – pregnancy
- 妊婦 (にんぷ, ninpu) – pregnant woman
Example sentence in daily conversation:
「彼女は妊娠しています。」(かのじょはにんしんしています。) – “She is pregnant.”
4. Synonyms and Antonyms
Similar kanji with related meanings include:
- 出産 (しゅっさん, shussan) – childbirth, which refers to the act of giving birth.
- 妊娠 (にんしん, ninshin) – pregnancy, which refers to the state of being pregnant.
Antonyms include:
- 不妊 (ふにん, funin) – infertility, which refers to the inability to conceive.
5. Cultural and Historical Background
The kanji “妊” is deeply connected to Japanese culture, where family and motherhood are highly valued. Pregnancy is often celebrated, and there are various customs and rituals associated with it.
Proverbs and idiomatic expressions related to pregnancy include:
- 「妊娠中は特別な時期です。」(にんしんちゅうはとくべつなじきです。) – “Pregnancy is a special time.”
This reflects the cultural significance placed on motherhood and the nurturing role of women in society.