1. Overview of Meaning
The kanji “迅” (pronounced “jin” or “shun”) means “swift” or “rapid.” It conveys a sense of speed and quickness in action or movement.
2. Formation and Radical
Formation of the Kanji: The kanji “迅” is a phonetic-ideographic character (形声文字). It combines the radical for “movement” (走) with a phonetic component that suggests its pronunciation.
Radical: The radical of “迅” is 走 (to run), which relates to the concept of speed and movement.
3. Examples of Usage
Common Words and Phrases: Some frequently used words that include “迅” are:
- 迅速 (じんそく, jinsoku) – swift, rapid
- 迅速な対応 (じんそくなたいおう, jinsoku na taiou) – prompt response
Example Sentences in Daily Conversation:
- 彼は迅速に問題を解決しました。 (かれはじんそくにもんだいをかいけつしました。) – He solved the problem swiftly.
- この車は非常に迅速です。 (このくるまはひじょうにじんそくです。) – This car is very fast.
4. Synonyms and Antonyms
Similar Kanji: A similar kanji is “速” (soku), which also means “fast” but can imply a more general sense of speed without the connotation of swiftness in action.
Antonyms: An antonym of “迅” is “遅” (chi), meaning “slow.” This contrasts with the idea of quickness and speed.
5. Cultural and Historical Background
Relation to Japanese Culture: The concept of swiftness is highly valued in Japanese culture, often associated with efficiency and promptness in both personal and professional settings.
Proverbs and Idioms: One relevant proverb is “迅速な行動が成功をもたらす” (じんそくなこうどうがせいこうをもたらす), which translates to “Swift action brings success,” emphasizing the importance of acting quickly to achieve goals.