1. Overview of Meaning
The kanji “成” (pronounced “naru” or “sei”) primarily means “to become” or “to achieve.” It signifies the process of transformation or completion, often indicating growth or success in various contexts.
2. Formation and Radicals
Formation of the Kanji: The kanji “成” is a phonetic-ideographic character (形声文字). It combines the semantic component “戈” (meaning “spear”) and the phonetic component “成,” which contributes to its pronunciation.
Radical: The radical of “成” is “戈,” which is associated with weapons or tools, hinting at the idea of achieving or completing something through effort.
3. Examples of Usage
Common Words and Phrases: Some frequently used words that include “成” are:
- 成長 (せいちょう, seichou) – growth
- 成功 (せいこう, seikou) – success
- 成績 (せいせき, seiseki) – grades or results
Example Sentences in Daily Conversation:
- 彼は努力の結果、成功を成し遂げた。 (かれはどりょくのけっか、せいこうをなしとげた。) – He achieved success as a result of his efforts.
- 子供たちは成長するのが早い。 (こどもたちはせいちょうするのがはやい。) – Children grow up quickly.
4. Synonyms and Antonyms
Similar Kanji: A similar kanji is “達” (たつ, tatsu), which means “to reach” or “to arrive.” While both imply a sense of achievement, “成” focuses more on the process of becoming, whereas “達” emphasizes the endpoint or destination.
Antonyms: An antonym of “成” is “失” (しつ, shitsu), meaning “to lose” or “failure,” which represents the opposite of achieving or becoming something.
5. Cultural and Historical Background
Relation to Japanese Culture: The concept of “成” is deeply embedded in Japanese culture, often associated with personal growth, education, and success in various fields, including business and arts.
Proverbs and Idioms: One common proverb is “成せば成る” (なせばなる, naseba naru), which translates to “If you try, you can achieve it,” emphasizing the importance of effort and determination in achieving one’s goals.