1. Overview of Meaning
The kanji “任” (pronounced “nin” or “nin suru”) generally means “to entrust,” “to appoint,” or “to be responsible for.” It conveys the idea of taking on a duty or responsibility.
2. Formation and Radical
Formation of the Kanji: The kanji “任” is a combination of two components. The left part, “亻” (a variant of the radical for “person”), indicates a human element, while the right part, “任” itself, suggests the concept of responsibility or duty. This kanji is classified as a compound character (会意文字), as it combines meanings to convey a new idea.
Radical: The radical for “任” is “亻,” which relates to people or human actions.
3. Examples of Usage
Common Words and Phrases: Some frequently used words that include “任” are:
- 任務 (にんむ, “ninmu”) – mission, task
- 任せる (まかせる, “makaseru”) – to entrust, to leave to someone
Example Sentences in Daily Conversation:
- 彼にこのプロジェクトを任せます。 (かれにこのプロジェクトをまかせます。) – I will entrust this project to him.
- あなたの任務はこの問題を解決することです。 (あなたのにんむはこのもんだいをかいけつすることです。) – Your task is to solve this problem.
4. Synonyms and Antonyms
Similar Kanji: A kanji with a similar meaning is “責” (せき, “seki”), which means “responsibility” or “blame.” While both kanji relate to duties, “任” emphasizes the act of entrusting or appointing, whereas “責” focuses more on accountability and blame.
Opposite Kanji: An antonym for “任” could be “放” (ほう, “hou”), which means “to release” or “to let go.” This contrasts with the idea of taking on responsibility.
5. Cultural and Historical Background
Relation to Japanese Culture: The concept of “任” is deeply embedded in Japanese culture, where taking responsibility and being entrusted with tasks is highly valued. This reflects the importance of duty and loyalty in Japanese society.
Proverbs and Idioms: One relevant proverb is “任せるは信じる” (まかせるはしんじる), which translates to “To entrust is to believe.” This highlights the trust involved in delegating responsibilities.