1. Overview of Meaning
The kanji “誇” (ko) means “to boast” or “to be proud.” It conveys a sense of pride in one’s achievements or qualities, often implying a positive self-regard or the act of showcasing one’s strengths.
2. Formation and Radical
The kanji “誇” is a compound character (会意文字) that combines the elements of “言” (word) and “夸” (to boast). The radical of this kanji is “言,” which relates to speech or words, emphasizing the act of expressing pride verbally.
3. Examples of Usage
Common words and phrases that include “誇” are:
- 誇り (ほこり, hokori) – pride
- 誇張 (こちょう, kochou) – exaggeration
Example sentences in daily conversation:
- 彼は自分の成功を誇っています。 (かれはじぶんのせいこうをほこっています。) – He is proud of his success.
- その作品は誇張されている。 (そのさくひんはこちょうされている。) – That work is exaggerated.
4. Synonyms and Antonyms
Similar kanji with related meanings include:
- 自慢 (じまん, jiman) – boasting, which implies a more self-centered pride.
- 誇り高い (ほこりたかい, hokori takai) – proud, which emphasizes a noble sense of pride.
Antonyms include:
- 恥 (はじ, haji) – shame, which represents a feeling of embarrassment or dishonor.
5. Cultural and Historical Background
The concept of “誇” is deeply rooted in Japanese culture, where pride in one’s work and achievements is highly valued. It is often associated with the idea of “ganbaru” (頑張る), which means to do one’s best.
Proverbs and idiomatic expressions that include “誇” are:
- 誇りを持つ (ほこりをもつ, hokori o motsu) – to take pride in something.
- 誇張は真実を隠す (こちょうはしんじつをかくす, kochou wa shinjitsu o kakusu) – exaggeration hides the truth.