1. Overview of Meaning
The kanji “慨” (gai) generally means to feel sorrow or regret, often in relation to a situation or event. It conveys a sense of lamentation or a deep emotional response to something unfortunate.
2. Formation and Radical
Formation of the Kanji: The kanji “慨” is a compound character (会意文字) that combines elements to convey its meaning. It consists of the radical “心” (heart) which indicates emotions, and “概” (gai), which relates to the concept of generality or outline.
Radical: The radical of “慨” is “心” (kokoro), which is commonly associated with feelings and emotions.
3. Examples of Usage
Common Words and Phrases: “慨嘆” (gaitan) meaning lamentation, and “慨然” (gairan) meaning to feel regretfully.
Example Sentence in Daily Conversation: “彼はそのニュースを聞いて慨を感じた。” (Kare wa sono nyūsu o kiite gai o kanjita.) – “He felt sorrow upon hearing the news.”
4. Synonyms and Antonyms
Similar Kanji: “悲” (hi) meaning sadness, which conveys a more personal and deep emotional state, while “慨” (gai) often relates to a broader sense of regret or lamentation.
Antonym: “喜” (ki) meaning joy, which represents a positive emotional state, contrasting with the sorrowful connotation of “慨” (gai).
5. Cultural and Historical Background
Relation to Japanese Culture: The concept of “慨” is often reflected in Japanese literature and poetry, where feelings of regret and lamentation are common themes.
Proverbs and Idioms: An example is “慨然として” (gairan to shite), which means to express regret or sorrow openly, often used in literary contexts.