1. Overview of Meaning
The kanji “傾” (pronounced “kei” or “kaku”) means “to lean,” “to incline,” or “to tilt.” It conveys the idea of something being at an angle or not standing upright, often used in both physical and metaphorical contexts.
2. Formation and Radical
Formation of the Kanji: The kanji “傾” is a phonetic compound (形声文字) that combines the radical for “person” (人) on the left side, indicating a human action, with the phonetic component “京” (kyou) on the right side, which contributes to its pronunciation.
Radical: The radical of “傾” is 人 (hito), which means “person.” This suggests that the action of leaning or tilting is often associated with human behavior.
3. Examples of Usage
Common Words and Phrases: Some frequently used words that include “傾” are:
- 傾斜 (けいしゃ, keisha) – slope, inclination
- 傾向 (けいこう, keikou) – tendency, trend
Example Sentences in Daily Conversation:
- この建物は少し傾いています。 (このたてもので少しけいらいっています。) – This building is leaning a little.
- 彼の意見には傾向があります。 (かれのいけんにはけいこうがあります。) – There is a tendency in his opinion.
4. Synonyms and Antonyms
Similar Kanji: A similar kanji is “傾く” (かたむく, katamuku), which also means “to lean” or “to incline,” but it emphasizes the action of tilting more than the state of being inclined.
Opposite Kanji: An antonym is “直立” (ちょくりつ, chokuritsu), which means “upright” or “standing straight,” representing the opposite of leaning or tilting.
5. Cultural and Historical Background
Relation to Japanese Culture: The concept of “傾” is often reflected in traditional Japanese architecture, where structures are designed to harmonize with nature, sometimes incorporating slight inclinations for aesthetic purposes.
Proverbs and Idioms: One common saying is “傾くときは、立ち上がるとき” (かたむくときは、たちあがるとき), which translates to “When you lean, it’s time to stand up,” suggesting resilience in the face of challenges.