1. Overview of Meaning
The kanji “棄” (ki) means “to abandon” or “to discard.” It conveys the idea of letting go of something or someone, often implying a sense of neglect or rejection.
2. Formation and Radical
Formation of the Kanji: The kanji “棄” is a compound character (会意文字) that combines elements to convey its meaning. It consists of the radical for “tree” (木) and the character “去” (meaning “to leave”), suggesting the act of leaving something behind, particularly in a natural context.
Radical: The radical of “棄” is 木 (tree), which often relates to nature or wooden objects.
3. Examples of Usage
Common Words and Phrases: Some common words that include “棄” are “棄権” (kiken – to forfeit) and “棄てる” (suteru – to throw away).
Example Sentences in Daily Conversation:
- 彼は古い服を棄てることに決めた。 (Kare wa furui fuku o suteru koto ni kimeta.) – He decided to throw away his old clothes.
- その計画は棄てられた。 (Sono keikaku wa suterareta.) – That plan was abandoned.
4. Synonyms and Antonyms
Similar Kanji: A similar kanji is “捨” (sute), which also means “to discard” but is often used in a more general sense, such as throwing away trash. “棄” tends to carry a heavier connotation of abandonment.
Opposite Kanji: The opposite kanji is “保持” (hoji), which means “to retain” or “to keep,” indicating the act of holding onto something rather than letting it go.
5. Cultural and Historical Background
Relation to Japanese Culture: The concept of “棄” is significant in Japanese culture, often reflecting themes of impermanence and the transient nature of life, which are prevalent in Buddhist philosophy.
Proverbs and Idioms: An example of a related proverb is “棄てる神あれば拾う神あり” (Suteru kami areba hirou kami ari), which translates to “If there is a god that discards, there is also a god that picks up,” suggesting that what is abandoned may still hold value for someone else.