1. Overview of Meaning
The kanji “温” (on) means “warm” or “temperature.” It conveys a sense of warmth, comfort, and mildness, often associated with both physical warmth and emotional warmth.
2. Formation and Radical
Formation of the Kanji: The kanji “温” is a phonetic-ideographic character (形声文字). It combines the radical for “water” (氵) on the left, which relates to temperature, and the phonetic component “音” (on), which means “sound” but contributes to the pronunciation.
Radical: The radical of “温” is 氵, which is related to water and often appears in kanji associated with liquids or temperature.
3. Examples of Usage
Common Words and Phrases:
- 温度 (おんど, ondo) – temperature
- 温泉 (おんせん, onsen) – hot spring
- 温かい (あたたかい, atatakai) – warm
Example Sentences in Daily Conversation:
- 今日はとても温かいですね。 (Today is very warm.)
- 温泉に行きたいです。 (I want to go to a hot spring.)
4. Synonyms and Antonyms
Similar Kanji:
- 暖 (だん, dan) – warm; often used in contexts related to warmth in a more general sense, such as “暖房” (heating).
Antonyms:
- 冷 (れい, rei) – cold; represents the opposite of warmth.
5. Cultural and Historical Background
Relation to Japanese Culture: The concept of warmth is significant in Japanese culture, often associated with hospitality and comfort. For example, “温かいおもてなし” (warm hospitality) is a valued trait in Japanese society.
Proverbs and Idioms:
- 温故知新 (おんこちしん, onkochishin) – “to learn from the past to understand the present,” emphasizing the importance of history and tradition.