1. Overview of Meaning
The kanji “遭” (sō) generally means “to encounter” or “to meet.” It often carries a connotation of facing something unexpected or unfortunate, such as an accident or disaster.
2. Formation and Radical
Formation of the Kanji: The kanji “遭” is a compound character (会意文字) that combines elements to convey its meaning. It consists of the radical for “to meet” (遭) and the character for “to walk” (走), suggesting the idea of encountering something while on the move.
Radical: The radical of “遭” is “走” (to run), which relates to movement and action.
3. Examples of Usage
Common Words and Phrases: Some frequently used words that include “遭” are:
- 遭遇 (sōguu) – encounter, especially an unfortunate one
- 遭難 (sōnan) – disaster, especially in the context of accidents or emergencies
Example Sentences in Daily Conversation:
- 彼は山で遭難した。 (Kare wa yama de sōnan shita.) – He encountered an accident in the mountains.
- 私たちは偶然遭遇した。 (Watashitachi wa guuzen sōguu shita.) – We encountered each other by chance.
4. Synonyms and Antonyms
Similar Kanji: A similar kanji is “会” (kai), which means “to meet” or “to gather.” However, “会” does not carry the same connotation of an unexpected or unfortunate encounter as “遭” does.
Antonyms: An antonym could be “避ける” (sakeru), which means “to avoid,” indicating the action of steering clear of an encounter.
5. Cultural and Historical Background
Relation to Japanese Culture: The concept of “遭” is often reflected in Japanese literature and folklore, where characters face unexpected challenges or encounters with spirits and nature.
Proverbs and Idioms: One relevant proverb is “遭遇は運命” (sōguu wa unmei), which translates to “encounters are fate,” emphasizing the belief that meetings and encounters are predetermined or significant.