1. Overview of Meaning
The kanji “印” (in) primarily means “seal” or “stamp.” It is often used to signify a mark or impression made by a seal, and it can also refer to a symbol or representation of something.
2. Formation and Radical
Formation of the Kanji: The kanji “印” is classified as a phonetic-ideographic character (形声文字). It combines the meaning of a mark or impression with a phonetic component.
Radical: The radical for “印” is “刀” (katana), which means “sword” or “knife,” indicating the action of cutting or marking.
3. Examples of Usage
Common Words and Phrases: Some frequently used words that include “印” are:
- 印鑑 (いんかん, inkan) – personal seal
- 印刷 (いんさつ, insatsu) – printing
- 印象 (いんしょう, inshou) – impression
Example Sentences in Daily Conversation:
- この書類に印を押してください。 (このしょるいにいんをおしてください。) – Please put your seal on this document.
- 彼の印象はとても良かったです。 (かれのいんしょうはとてもよかったです。) – His impression was very good.
4. Synonyms and Antonyms
Similar Kanji: A similar kanji is “記” (ki), which means “to record” or “to write down.” While both involve marking, “印” focuses on the physical mark or seal, whereas “記” emphasizes the act of recording information.
Opposite Kanji: An antonym could be “消” (shou), which means “to erase” or “to delete,” representing the action of removing a mark or impression.
5. Cultural and Historical Background
Relation to Japanese Culture: In Japan, personal seals (印鑑) are an important part of legal and business transactions, often used in place of signatures. They hold significant cultural value and are often intricately designed.
Proverbs and Idioms: One common idiom is “印象に残る” (いんしょうにのこる, inshou ni nokoru), which means “to leave an impression,” highlighting the importance of first impressions in social interactions.