1. Overview of Meaning
The kanji “腕” (pronounced “ude”) means “arm” in English. It refers to the upper limb of the human body, extending from the shoulder to the wrist, and is often associated with strength and skill.
2. Formation and Radical
Formation of the Kanji: The kanji “腕” is a phonetic-ideographic character (形声文字). It combines the radical for “meat” (肉) on the left, which relates to the physical aspect of the arm, and the phonetic component “完” (wan) on the right, which provides the pronunciation.
Radical: The radical for “腕” is 肉 (niku), which is commonly associated with flesh or meat, emphasizing the physical nature of the arm.
3. Examples of Usage
Common Words and Phrases:
- 腕時計 (うでどけい, udedokei) – wristwatch
- 腕力 (わんりょく, wanryoku) – physical strength
Example Sentences in Daily Conversation:
- 彼は腕が強いです。 (かれはうでがつよいです。) – He has strong arms.
- 腕時計を買いました。 (うでどけいをかいました。) – I bought a wristwatch.
4. Synonyms and Antonyms
Similar Kanji:
- 肘 (ひじ, hiji) – elbow: This refers specifically to the joint in the arm, while “腕” refers to the entire arm.
- 手 (て, te) – hand: This refers to the part of the arm that includes the fingers, but “腕” encompasses the whole upper limb.
Antonyms:
- 足 (あし, ashi) – leg: This refers to the lower limb of the body, contrasting with “腕” which refers to the upper limb.
5. Cultural and Historical Background
Relation to Japanese Culture: In Japanese culture, the concept of “腕” is often associated with craftsmanship and skill. The phrase “腕が上がる” (うでがあがる, ude ga agaru) means to improve one’s skills, particularly in a craft or art.
Proverbs and Idioms:
- 腕に覚えがある (うでにおぼえがある, ude ni oboe ga aru) – to have confidence in one’s skills.