1. Overview of Meaning
The kanji “撤” (pronounced “tetsu” in Japanese) means “to withdraw,” “to remove,” or “to take away.” It is often used in contexts where something is being taken back or eliminated.
2. Formation and Radical
Formation of the Kanji: The kanji “撤” is a compound character, which means it is formed by combining different elements. It consists of the radical “扌” (hand) and the character “撤,” which conveys the idea of action involving the hand, such as removing or taking away.
Radical: The radical of “撤” is “扌,” which is related to actions performed by the hand.
3. Examples of Usage
Common Words and Phrases: Some common words that include “撤” are “撤回” (tekkai – to withdraw), “撤去” (tekkyō – removal), and “撤収” (tesshū – withdrawal).
Example Sentences in Daily Conversation:
- 会議での提案を撤回しました。 (Kaigi de no teian o tekkai shimashita.) – I withdrew my proposal in the meeting.
- この看板は撤去される予定です。 (Kono kanban wa tekkyō sareru yotei desu.) – This sign is scheduled to be removed.
4. Synonyms and Antonyms
Similar Kanji: A similar kanji is “除” (jo), which means “to remove” or “to exclude.” While both “撤” and “除” convey the idea of removal, “撤” often implies a more active or forceful action.
Opposite Kanji: An antonym of “撤” is “設” (setsu), which means “to establish” or “to set up.” This represents the opposite action of creating or putting something in place.
5. Cultural and Historical Background
Relation to Japanese Culture: The concept of “撤” is significant in various aspects of Japanese culture, particularly in the context of ceremonies and rituals where items may be removed or withdrawn as part of a process.
Proverbs and Idioms: One relevant idiom is “撤退する” (tettai suru), which means “to retreat.” This phrase is often used in military contexts or discussions about strategy, reflecting the importance of withdrawal in both historical and modern contexts.