1. Overview of Meaning
The kanji “団” (dan) means “group” or “association.” It refers to a collection of people or things that come together for a common purpose or goal.
2. Formation and Radical
The kanji “団” is a compound character (会意文字) that combines two elements: the radical “囗” (enclosure) and the character “団” (which can also mean “to gather”). The radical suggests a sense of gathering or enclosing, which aligns with the meaning of a group.
The radical for “団” is “囗,” which indicates that the character is related to something enclosed or surrounded.
3. Examples of Usage
Common words and phrases that include “団” are:
- 団体 (だんたい, dantai) – organization or group
- 団結 (だんけつ, danketsu) – unity or solidarity
Example sentence in daily conversation:
私たちは新しいプロジェクトのために団結しなければなりません。
(We must unite as a group for the new project.)
4. Synonyms and Antonyms
Similar kanji with related meanings include:
- 集 (しゅう, shuu) – to gather, which emphasizes the action of coming together rather than the state of being a group.
Antonyms include:
- 孤独 (こどく, kodoku) – loneliness, which conveys the idea of being alone or isolated.
5. Cultural and Historical Background
The concept of “団” is significant in Japanese culture, often associated with teamwork and community. In traditional Japanese society, groups such as family units, work teams, and social clubs play a crucial role in social structure.
Proverbs and idioms related to “団” include:
- 団結は力なり (だんけつはちからなり, danketsu wa chikara nari) – Unity is strength, emphasizing the importance of coming together as a group.