1. Overview of Meaning
The kanji “努” (pronounced “do” or “noru”) means “to strive” or “to make an effort.” It conveys the idea of working hard towards a goal or putting in effort to achieve something.
2. Formation and Radical
Formation of the Kanji: The kanji “努” is a phonetic-ideographic character (形声文字). It combines the meaning of effort with a phonetic component that suggests its pronunciation.
Radical: The radical for “努” is “力” (power or strength), which emphasizes the effort and strength involved in striving.
3. Examples of Usage
Common Words and Phrases: Some frequently used words that include “努” are:
- 努力 (どりょく, doryoku) – effort, endeavor
- 努める (つとめる, tsutomeru) – to strive, to make an effort
Example Sentences in Daily Conversation:
- 彼は試験に合格するために努力しています。 (かれはしけんにごうかくするためにどりょくしています。) – He is making an effort to pass the exam.
- 私たちは目標を達成するために努めなければなりません。 (わたしたちはもくひょうをたっせいするために努めなければなりません。) – We must strive to achieve our goals.
4. Synonyms and Antonyms
Similar Kanji: A similar kanji is “努力” (doryoku), which also means effort but emphasizes the action of trying hard. Another related kanji is “奮” (fun), which means to strive or to exert oneself, but with a stronger connotation of fighting spirit.
Opposite Kanji: An antonym is “怠” (tai), which means to be lazy or negligent, representing a lack of effort.
5. Cultural and Historical Background
Relation to Japanese Culture: The concept of “努” is deeply embedded in Japanese culture, where hard work and perseverance are highly valued traits. This is reflected in various cultural practices and societal expectations.
Proverbs and Idioms: One common proverb is “努力は裏切らない” (どりょくはうらぎらない, doryoku wa uragiranai), which translates to “Effort will not betray you,” emphasizing the importance of hard work in achieving success.