1. Overview of Meaning
The kanji “猟” (ryou) means “hunting.” It refers to the act of pursuing and capturing animals for food, sport, or other purposes.
2. Formation and Radicals
The kanji “猟” is a compound character (会意文字) that combines the radical for “dog” (犭) and the character “猟” itself, which relates to hunting. The radical indicates a connection to animals, emphasizing the hunting aspect.
The radical used in “猟” is 犭, which is associated with animals and is commonly found in kanji related to dogs and hunting.
3. Examples of Usage
Common words and phrases that include “猟” are:
- 猟師 (りょうし, ryoushi) – hunter
- 狩猟 (しゅりょう, shuryou) – hunting
Example sentence in daily conversation:
「彼は毎年冬に猟に出かけます。」 (かれはまいとしふゆにりょうにでかけます。) – “He goes hunting every winter.”
4. Synonyms and Antonyms
Similar kanji with related meanings include:
- 狩 (しゅ, shu) – also means “hunting,” but often refers to a more general or traditional form of hunting.
Antonyms include:
- 保護 (ほご, hogo) – means “protection,” which is the opposite of hunting.
5. Cultural and Historical Background
The concept of hunting is deeply rooted in Japanese culture, where it has been practiced since ancient times for sustenance and as a sport. In folklore, hunting is often depicted in stories and legends.
Proverbs and idioms related to hunting include:
- 「猟犬に餌をやる」 (りょうけんにえさをやる) – “To feed the hunting dog,” which means to prepare for something in advance.