1. Overview of Meaning
The kanji “診” (pronounced “shin”) means “to examine” or “to diagnose.” It is commonly used in medical contexts, referring to the process of assessing a patient’s health condition.
2. Formation and Radical
Formation of the Kanji: The kanji “診” is a compound character, which combines the elements of “言” (speech) and “心” (heart). This suggests that diagnosis involves both communication and understanding the patient’s feelings.
Radical: The radical of “診” is “言” (gen), which relates to speech or words, emphasizing the importance of communication in the diagnostic process.
3. Examples of Usage
Common Words and Phrases:
- 診断 (しんだん, shindan) – diagnosis
- 診察 (しんさつ, shinsatsu) – medical examination
Example Sentences in Daily Conversation:
- 医者は私の症状を診断しました。 (いしゃはわたしのしょうじょうをしんだんしました。) – The doctor diagnosed my symptoms.
- 診察を受けるために病院に行きます。 (しんさつをうけるためにびょういんにいきます。) – I will go to the hospital for a medical examination.
4. Synonyms and Antonyms
Similar Kanji:
- 検 (けん, ken) – to inspect or examine. While both “診” and “検” involve examination, “検” is often used in contexts like inspections or tests, rather than direct patient diagnosis.
Antonyms:
- 治 (ち, chi) – to heal or cure. This kanji represents the outcome of a diagnosis, focusing on the healing process rather than the examination itself.
5. Cultural and Historical Background
Relation to Japanese Culture: The concept of diagnosis is deeply rooted in traditional Japanese medicine, where understanding a patient’s condition through careful examination is essential.
Proverbs and Idioms: One relevant saying is “診るは一時の恥、診らぬは一生の恥” (みるはいちじのはじ、みらぬはいっしょうのはじ), which translates to “It is a temporary shame to be examined, but a lifelong shame to avoid it.” This emphasizes the importance of seeking medical advice when needed.