1. Overview of Meaning
The kanji “勤” (kin) generally means “diligence” or “effort.” It conveys the idea of working hard and being industrious in one’s tasks or responsibilities.
2. Formation and Radical
Formation of the Kanji: The kanji “勤” is a phonetic-ideographic character (形声文字). It combines the meaning of “to work hard” with a phonetic component that suggests its pronunciation.
Radical: The radical for “勤” is “力” (chikara), which means “power” or “strength,” indicating the effort involved in diligence.
3. Examples of Usage
Common Words and Phrases:
- 勤勉 (kinben) – diligence
- 勤労 (kinrō) – labor or work
Example Sentences in Daily Conversation:
- 彼はとても勤勉な学生です。 (Kare wa totemo kinben na gakusei desu.) – He is a very diligent student.
- 勤労を大切にしましょう。 (Kinrō o taisetsu ni shimashou.) – Let’s value hard work.
4. Synonyms and Antonyms
Similar Kanji:
- 努力 (doryoku) – effort; while both “勤” and “努力” imply hard work, “努力” emphasizes the effort put into achieving a goal.
Antonyms:
- 怠惰 (taida) – laziness; this kanji represents the opposite of diligence and effort.
5. Cultural and Historical Background
Relation to Japanese Culture: In Japanese culture, diligence is highly valued, and the concept of “勤” is often associated with the work ethic and dedication to one’s duties.
Proverbs and Idioms:
- 勤勉は成功の鍵 (Kinben wa seikou no kagi) – Diligence is the key to success.