1. Overview of Meaning
The kanji “叫” (pronounced “sakebu” in Japanese) means “to shout” or “to cry out.” It conveys the action of making a loud vocal expression, often associated with strong emotions such as excitement, fear, or anger.
2. Formation and Radical
The kanji “叫” is a phono-semantic compound (形声文字), which means it is formed by combining a phonetic component and a semantic component. The left part, “口” (kuchi), represents the mouth, indicating the action of speaking or vocalizing. The right part, “喬” (kyo), contributes to the pronunciation.
The radical of “叫” is “口” (kuchi), which is commonly associated with speech and vocalization.
3. Examples of Usage
Common words and phrases that include “叫” are:
- 叫ぶ (sakebu) – to shout
- 叫び声 (sakebigoe) – shout or cry
Example sentences in daily conversation:
- 彼は喜びのあまり叫んだ。 (Kare wa yorokobi no amari sake nda.) – He shouted out of joy.
- 子供たちが公園で叫んで遊んでいる。 (Kodomotachi ga kouen de sakende asonde iru.) – The children are playing and shouting in the park.
4. Synonyms and Antonyms
Similar kanji with related meanings include:
- 声 (koe) – voice; refers to the sound produced by a person or animal, but does not imply shouting.
- 叫ぶ (sakebu) – to shout; specifically emphasizes the action of raising one’s voice.
Antonyms include:
- 静か (shizuka) – quiet; meaning to be silent or calm, the opposite of making loud noises.
5. Cultural and Historical Background
The kanji “叫” has cultural significance in Japan, often associated with expressions of strong emotions in literature and art. It can be found in various proverbs and idiomatic expressions that emphasize the importance of vocal expression.
For example, the phrase “叫び声が響く” (sakebigoe ga hibiku) means “the shout echoes,” which can be used to describe a situation where someone’s voice carries a strong emotional weight.