1. Overview of Meaning
The kanji “村” (mura) means “village” in English. It refers to a small community or settlement, typically found in rural areas, where people live and work together.
2. Formation and Radicals
The kanji “村” is a compound character that combines two elements: the radical for “tree” (木) and the character for “enclosure” (囗). This suggests a place surrounded by trees, which is often how villages are situated in nature.
The radical of “村” is 囗, which indicates that it is related to a place or an enclosure.
3. Examples of Usage
Common words and phrases that include “村” are:
- 村人 (むらびと, murabito) – villager
- 村役場 (むらやくば, murayakuba) – village office
Example sentence in daily conversation:
「私の故郷は小さな村です。」(Watashi no kokyō wa chiisana mura desu.) – “My hometown is a small village.”
4. Synonyms and Antonyms
Similar kanji with related meanings include:
- 町 (まち, machi) – town, which is larger than a village but smaller than a city.
- 集落 (しゅうらく, shūraku) – settlement, which can refer to a group of houses in a rural area.
Antonyms include:
- 都市 (とし, toshi) – city, which refers to a large and densely populated area.
5. Cultural and Historical Background
The concept of “村” is deeply rooted in Japanese culture, reflecting the traditional lifestyle of rural communities. Villages often serve as the foundation of social structure in Japan, where family ties and community bonds are strong.
Proverbs and idioms related to “村” include:
- 「村八分」(むらはちぶ, murahachibu) – meaning social ostracism, where a person is excluded from the community.
This highlights the importance of community in Japanese culture, where being part of a village can significantly impact one’s social standing.