1. Overview of Meaning
The kanji “養” (yō) means “to nurture,” “to raise,” or “to cultivate.” It conveys the idea of providing care and support for growth, whether it be for living beings, skills, or knowledge.
2. Formation and Radical
Formation of the Kanji: The kanji “養” is a compound character (会意文字) that combines the elements of “羊” (sheep) and “養” (to raise). The sheep symbolizes nurturing and care, as they are often raised for food and wool.
Radical: The radical of “養” is “羊” (sheep), which is associated with livestock and nurturing in various contexts.
3. Examples of Usage
Common Words and Phrases: Some frequently used words that include “養” are:
- 養育 (よういく, yōiku) – upbringing, nurturing
- 養成 (ようせい, yōsei) – training, development
- 栄養 (えいよう, eiyō) – nutrition
Example Sentences in Daily Conversation:
- 子供を養うことは大切です。 (こどもをやしなうことはたいせつです。) – It is important to nurture children.
- 彼は専門家としてのスキルを養っています。 (かれはせんもんかとしてのスキルをやしなっています。) – He is cultivating his skills as a professional.
4. Synonyms and Antonyms
Similar Kanji: A similar kanji is “育” (いく, iku), which also means “to raise” or “to grow.” However, “育” focuses more on the process of growth itself, while “養” emphasizes the nurturing aspect.
Antonyms: An antonym of “養” is “殺” (さつ, satsu), which means “to kill.” This represents the opposite action of nurturing and caring for life.
5. Cultural and Historical Background
Relation to Japanese Culture: In Japanese culture, nurturing is highly valued, especially in the context of family and education. The concept of “養” is often associated with the responsibilities of parents and educators.
Proverbs and Idioms: One common proverb is “養うは育てる” (やしなうはそだてる), which means “to nurture is to raise.” This reflects the importance of care in the growth process.