1. Overview of Meaning
The kanji “査” (sa) means “to investigate” or “to examine.” It is often used in contexts related to checking or reviewing something carefully.
2. Formation and Radical
Formation of the Kanji: The kanji “査” is a phonetic-ideographic character (形声文字). It combines the radical for “to examine” with a phonetic component that suggests its pronunciation.
Radical: The radical for “査” is “木” (tree), which often relates to growth or examination, indicating a careful look at something.
3. Examples of Usage
Common Words and Phrases: Some frequently used words that include “査” are:
- 査定 (satei) – assessment
- 調査 (chousa) – investigation
Example Sentences in Daily Conversation:
- この書類を査読してください。 (Kono shorui o sadoku shite kudasai.) – Please review this document.
- 彼はデータを査察する必要があります。 (Kare wa deeta o sasatsu suru hitsuyou ga arimasu.) – He needs to examine the data.
4. Synonyms and Antonyms
Similar Kanji: A similar kanji is “調” (chou), which means “to investigate” or “to tune.” While both involve examination, “調” often implies a more thorough or systematic approach.
Opposite Kanji: An antonym is “無視” (mushi), which means “to ignore.” This represents the opposite action of examining or investigating something.
5. Cultural and Historical Background
Relation to Japanese Culture: The concept of “査” is significant in Japanese culture, especially in contexts like quality control and academic research, where thorough examination is valued.
Proverbs and Idioms: One relevant idiom is “査察の目” (sasatsu no me), which means “the eye of inspection,” emphasizing the importance of careful scrutiny in various aspects of life.