1. Overview of Meaning
The kanji “銭” (pronounced “sen”) primarily means “money” or “coin.” It is often used to refer to small amounts of money or currency in general.
2. Origin and Radical
Formation of the Kanji: The kanji “銭” is a phono-semantic compound (形声文字), which means it combines a phonetic component with a semantic component. The left part, “金” (meaning “metal” or “gold”), indicates its relation to money, while the right part suggests its pronunciation.
Radical: The radical of “銭” is “金” (metal), which is commonly associated with words related to money and precious metals.
3. Examples of Usage
Common Words and Phrases: Some frequently used words that include “銭” are “銭湯” (sentō – public bath) and “小銭” (kozeni – small change).
Example Sentences in Daily Conversation:
- 「お金がないので、小銭を使います。」(I don’t have any money, so I’ll use my small change.)
- 「銭湯に行くのが好きです。」(I like going to the public bath.)
4. Synonyms and Antonyms
Similar Kanji: A similar kanji is “貨” (ka), which means “goods” or “currency,” but it refers more to the concept of trade and commerce rather than just money.
Opposite Kanji: An antonym could be “貧” (hin), which means “poverty” or “lack of money,” representing the absence of wealth.
5. Cultural and Historical Background
Relation to Japanese Culture: The concept of “銭” is deeply embedded in Japanese culture, reflecting the historical importance of trade and commerce in society.
Proverbs and Idioms: One common saying is “銭は天下の回りもの” (money is something that circulates in the world), emphasizing the transient nature of wealth.