1. Overview of Meaning
The kanji “怪” (pronounced “kai” or “ka”) means “strange,” “mysterious,” or “suspicious.” It is often used to describe something that is unusual or evokes a sense of wonder or fear.
2. Formation and Radical
The kanji “怪” is a compound character (会意文字) that combines elements to convey its meaning. It consists of the radical “怪” (which represents the concept of strangeness) and the phonetic component “怪” (which provides the pronunciation).
The radical for “怪” is “怪” itself, which is associated with the idea of something uncanny or eerie.
3. Examples of Usage
Common words and phrases that include “怪” are:
- 怪物 (kaibutsu) – monster
- 怪しい (ayashii) – suspicious, dubious
- 怪談 (kaidan) – ghost story
Example sentence in daily conversation:
「あの映画はとても怪しかった。」
(That movie was very strange.)
4. Synonyms and Antonyms
Similar kanji with related meanings include:
- 不思議 (fushigi) – mysterious, which emphasizes the wonder aspect.
- 異常 (ijou) – abnormal, which focuses more on the deviation from the norm.
Antonyms include:
- 普通 (futsuu) – normal, which indicates something that is usual or expected.
5. Cultural and Historical Background
The kanji “怪” has significant ties to Japanese culture, particularly in folklore and ghost stories. It often appears in traditional tales that explore the supernatural.
Proverbs and idiomatic expressions that include “怪” are:
- 怪我の功名 (kega no koumyou) – “A blessing in disguise,” which refers to an unexpected positive outcome from a strange or unfortunate situation.