1. Overview of Meaning
The kanji “著” (pronounced “cho” or “aku”) primarily means “to write,” “to author,” or “to publish.” It is often associated with the act of creating written works, such as books or articles.
2. Formation and Radical
Formation of the Kanji: The kanji “著” is a compound character that combines elements to convey its meaning. It is classified as a 形声文字 (phonetic compound), where the left part indicates the meaning and the right part provides the pronunciation.
Radical: The radical of “著” is “衣” (clothing), which suggests a connection to the idea of “dressing” or “covering” something, in this case, the written word.
3. Examples of Usage
Common Words and Phrases: Some frequently used words that include “著” are:
- 著者 (ちょしゃ, “chosha”) – author
- 著作 (ちょさく, “chosaku”) – written work or publication
- 著名 (ちょめい, “chomei”) – famous or well-known
Example Sentences in Daily Conversation:
- 彼は有名な著者です。 (かれはゆうめいなちょしゃです。) – He is a famous author.
- この著作はとても面白いです。 (このちょさくはとてもおもしろいです。) – This work is very interesting.
4. Synonyms and Antonyms
Similar Kanji: A kanji with a similar meaning is “記” (き, “ki”), which means “to record” or “to write down.” The difference lies in the context; “著” emphasizes authorship, while “記” focuses on the act of recording information.
Antonyms: A kanji with an opposite meaning is “消” (しょう, “shou”), which means “to erase” or “to delete.” This contrasts with “著,” as it involves removing written content rather than creating it.
5. Cultural and Historical Background
Connection to Japanese Culture: The kanji “著” is significant in Japanese literature and publishing. It reflects the importance of authorship and the written word in Japanese culture.
Proverbs and Idioms: One common expression is “著名な著者” (ちょめいなちょしゃ, “chomei na chosha”), meaning “a well-known author,” which highlights the respect given to writers in society.