1. Overview of Meaning
The kanji “医” (pronounced “i”) means “medicine” or “doctor.” It represents the field of healthcare and the practice of healing.
2. Formation and Radical
The kanji “医” is a phonetic-ideographic character, which means it combines both meaning and sound elements. The left part of the character is a radical that relates to “medicine,” while the right part provides the phonetic component.
The radical for “医” is 医, which is also the character itself, indicating its strong association with the medical field.
3. Examples of Usage
Common words and phrases that include “医” are:
- 医者 (isha) – doctor
- 医学 (igaku) – medicine or medical science
- 医療 (iryō) – medical care
Example sentences in daily conversation:
- 彼は優れた医者です。 (Kare wa sugureta isha desu.) – He is an excellent doctor.
- 私は医学を勉強しています。 (Watashi wa igaku o benkyō shiteimasu.) – I am studying medicine.
4. Synonyms and Antonyms
Similar kanji with related meanings include:
- 薬 (yaku) – medicine (referring to the substance rather than the practice)
- 治 (ji) – to heal or cure (focuses on the action of healing)
Antonyms include:
- 病 (byō) – illness or disease, which represents the opposite of health and healing.
5. Cultural and Historical Background
The kanji “医” has deep roots in Japanese culture, reflecting the importance of health and healing in society. Traditional practices such as 漢方 (kanpō) or traditional Chinese medicine are also associated with this character.
Proverbs and idiomatic expressions related to “医” include:
- 医者の不養生 (isha no fuyōjō) – “A doctor’s poor health,” which highlights the irony that those who care for others may neglect their own health.