1. Overview of Meaning
The kanji “頓” (pronounced “ton”) generally means “suddenly” or “abruptly.” It conveys a sense of quickness or immediacy in action or thought.
2. Formation and Radical
Formation of the Kanji: The kanji “頓” is a phonetic compound (形声文字) that combines the radical for “head” (頭) and a phonetic component that suggests its pronunciation.
Radical: The radical for “頓” is “頭” (head), which relates to the concept of the mind or thought processes.
3. Examples of Usage
Common Words and Phrases: “頓挫” (tonza) meaning “to come to a halt” or “to stumble,” and “頓悟” (dongo) meaning “sudden enlightenment.”
Example Sentence in Daily Conversation: “彼は頓にその問題を解決した。” (Kare wa ton ni sono mondai o kaiketsu shita.) – “He suddenly solved the problem.”
4. Synonyms and Antonyms
Similar Kanji: “急” (kyuu) meaning “urgent” or “hasty,” which conveys a sense of quickness but may not imply the suddenness that “頓” does.
Opposite Kanji: “遅” (chi) meaning “slow” or “late,” which represents the opposite of the quickness implied by “頓.”
5. Cultural and Historical Background
Relation to Japanese Culture: The concept of suddenness is often reflected in Japanese art and literature, where moments of clarity or realization are celebrated.
Proverbs and Idioms: The phrase “頓悟の境地” (dongo no kyouchi) refers to a state of sudden understanding or enlightenment, often used in Zen teachings.