1. Overview of Meaning
The kanji “捜” (sō) means “to search” or “to look for.” It is often used in contexts where someone is trying to find something or someone, such as in investigations or searches for lost items.
2. Formation and Radical
Formation of the Kanji: The kanji “捜” is a compound character (会意文字) that combines the radical for “hand” (扌) with the character “sō” (索), which means “to search” or “to investigate.” This combination emphasizes the action of searching with one’s hands.
Radical: The radical of “捜” is 扌, which is related to actions performed by the hand.
3. Examples of Usage
Common Words and Phrases: Some frequently used words that include “捜” are:
- 捜索 (sōsaku) – search, investigation
- 捜査 (sōsa) – police investigation
Example Sentences in Daily Conversation:
- 彼は失くした財布を捜しています。 (Kare wa nakushita saifu o sō shiteimasu.) – He is searching for his lost wallet.
- 警察は行方不明者を捜索しています。 (Keisatsu wa yukue fumei-sha o sōsaku shiteimasu.) – The police are searching for the missing person.
4. Synonyms and Antonyms
Similar Kanji: A similar kanji is “探” (tan), which also means “to search” but often implies a more careful or thorough search, such as “to probe” or “to explore.”
Antonyms: An antonym of “捜” could be “放置” (hōchi), which means “to leave alone” or “to neglect,” indicating the opposite action of searching.
5. Cultural and Historical Background
Relation to Japanese Culture: The concept of searching is significant in Japanese culture, especially in the context of community and family. The act of searching for lost items or people is often seen as a communal effort.
Proverbs and Idioms: One relevant proverb is “捜しても見つからない” (sōshite mo mitsukaranai), which means “even if you search, you won’t find it,” often used to express futility in searching for something that is truly lost.