1. Overview of Meaning
The kanji “員” (in) primarily means “member” or “personnel.” It is often used to refer to individuals who belong to a group or organization.
2. Origin and Radical
Formation of the Kanji: The kanji “員” is a phonetic-ideographic character (形声文字). It combines the radical for “person” (亻) with the phonetic component “in” (員), which contributes to its meaning related to people.
Radical: The radical of “員” is 亻, which is a variant of the radical for “person” (人). This radical indicates that the character is related to human beings.
3. Examples of Usage
Common Words and Phrases: Some frequently used words that include “員” are:
- 社員 (shain) – company employee
- 団員 (daiin) – group member
- 会員 (kaiin) – club member
Example Sentences in Daily Conversation:
- 彼は新しい社員です。 (Kare wa atarashii shain desu.) – He is a new employee.
- 私たちは団員として活動しています。 (Watashitachi wa daiin to shite katsudou shiteimasu.) – We are active as group members.
4. Synonyms and Antonyms
Similar Kanji: A similar kanji is “人” (hito), which also means “person.” However, “人” is more general, while “員” specifically refers to a member of a group.
Antonyms: An antonym could be “無” (mu), meaning “none” or “without,” which contrasts with the idea of being a member or part of something.
5. Cultural and Historical Background
Relation to Japanese Culture: The concept of membership is significant in Japanese culture, where belonging to a group, such as a company or community, is highly valued.
Proverbs and Idioms: One relevant saying is “一人は皆のために、皆は一人のために” (Hitori wa mina no tame ni, mina wa hitori no tame ni), which translates to “One for all, and all for one,” emphasizing the importance of teamwork and collective effort.