1. Overview of Meaning
The kanji “人” (pronounced “hito” in Japanese) means “person” or “human.” It represents the concept of humanity and individuality, often used to refer to people in general.
2. Formation and Radical
Formation of the Kanji: The kanji “人” is a pictogram that originally depicted a standing person. It is one of the simplest and most fundamental characters in the Japanese writing system.
Radical: The radical for “人” is also “人” (or “亻” when used as a radical in other kanji). This radical often relates to human actions or characteristics in various kanji.
3. Examples of Usage
Common Words and Phrases: Some frequently used words that include “人” are:
- 人間 (にんげん, ningen) – human being
- 人々 (ひとびと, hitobito) – people
- 人気 (にんき, ninki) – popularity (literally “person’s favor”)
Example Sentences in Daily Conversation:
- 彼は優しい人です。 (かれはやさしいひとです。) – He is a kind person.
- 人々が集まっています。 (ひとびとがあつまっています。) – People are gathering.
4. Synonyms and Antonyms
Similar Kanji: A similar kanji is “者” (しゃ, sha), which means “person” but often refers to someone with a specific role or characteristic, such as in “学者” (がくしゃ, gakusha) meaning “scholar.”
Opposite Kanji: An antonym is “物” (もの, mono), which means “thing” or “object,” contrasting with “人” which refers to living beings.
5. Cultural and Historical Background
Relation to Japanese Culture: The concept of “人” is deeply embedded in Japanese culture, emphasizing the importance of community and relationships among people.
Proverbs and Idioms: One common proverb is “人の振り見て我が振り直せ” (ひとのふりみてわがふりなおせ), which means “Observe others’ behavior and correct your own,” highlighting the value of learning from others.