1. Overview of Meaning
The kanji “百” (pronounced “hyaku”) means “hundred.” It is a numerical character used to represent the quantity of one hundred in various contexts.
2. Formation and Radical
Formation of the Kanji: The kanji “百” is a pictogram that originally depicted the concept of a large number. It is classified as a pictographic character because it visually represents the idea of a hundred.
Radical: The radical for “百” is also “百,” which is used in other kanji related to numbers and counting.
3. Examples of Usage
Common Words and Phrases: Some common words that include “百” are:
- 百円 (ひゃくえん, hyaku-en) – one hundred yen
- 百歳 (ひゃくさい, hyaku-sai) – one hundred years old
Example Sentences in Daily Conversation:
- この本は百ページあります。 (このほんはひゃくぺーじあります。) – This book has one hundred pages.
- 彼は百歳まで生きるでしょう。 (かれはひゃくさいまでいきるでしょう。) – He will probably live to be one hundred years old.
4. Synonyms and Antonyms
Similar Kanji: A similar kanji is “千” (せん, sen), which means “thousand.” The difference lies in the quantity represented, with “百” denoting one hundred and “千” denoting one thousand.
Antonyms: An antonym in terms of quantity could be “零” (れい, rei), which means “zero,” representing the absence of quantity.
5. Cultural and Historical Background
Relation to Japanese Culture: The number one hundred holds significance in Japanese culture, often symbolizing completeness or a large quantity. It is frequently used in various traditional contexts.
Proverbs and Idioms: One common expression is “百聞は一見にしかず” (ひゃくぶんはいっけんにしかず), which translates to “Seeing is believing,” emphasizing the value of direct experience over hearsay.