1. Overview of Meaning
The kanji “壊” (pronounced “kai” or “kowasu”) means “to break” or “to destroy.” It conveys the idea of something being damaged or rendered unusable.
2. Formation and Radical
Formation of the Kanji: The kanji “壊” is a phonetic-ideographic character (形声文字). It combines the radical for “earth” (土) at the bottom, which suggests a connection to physical objects, with the phonetic component “会” (kai) that provides the pronunciation.
Radical: The radical of “壊” is 土 (tsuchi), which means “earth” or “ground.” This radical often relates to physical structures or materials.
3. Examples of Usage
Common Words and Phrases: Some frequently used words that include “壊” are:
- 壊れる (kowareru) – to be broken
- 壊す (kowasu) – to break (something)
- 壊滅 (kaimetsu) – destruction
Example Sentences in Daily Conversation:
- このおもちゃは壊れた。 (Kono omocha wa kowareta.) – This toy is broken.
- 彼は窓を壊してしまった。 (Kare wa mado o kowashite shimatta.) – He accidentally broke the window.
4. Synonyms and Antonyms
Similar Kanji: A similar kanji is “破” (ha), which also means “to break” but often implies a more violent or forceful breaking, such as “破壊” (hakai) meaning “destruction.”
Antonyms: An antonym of “壊” is “修” (shuu), which means “to repair” or “to fix,” indicating the action of restoring something to its original state.
5. Cultural and Historical Background
Relation to Japanese Culture: The concept of “壊” is significant in Japanese culture, especially in the context of impermanence and the beauty of broken things, as seen in the philosophy of “wabi-sabi.”
Proverbs and Idioms: One relevant proverb is “壊れたものは直せない” (kowareta mono wa naosenai), which translates to “what is broken cannot be fixed,” reflecting the acceptance of loss and the transient nature of life.