1. Overview of Meaning
The kanji “搾” (saku) means “to squeeze” or “to extract.” It is often used in contexts related to extracting juice or liquid from something, such as fruits or vegetables.
2. Formation and Radical
Formation of the Kanji: The kanji “搾” is a compound character (会意文字) that combines the elements of “手” (hand) and “昨” (yesterday), symbolizing the action of using one’s hand to extract something.
Radical: The radical of “搾” is “手” (shou), which relates to actions performed by the hand.
3. Examples of Usage
Common Words and Phrases:
- 搾りたて (shiboritate) – freshly squeezed
- 搾乳 (saku nyuu) – milking
Example Sentences in Daily Conversation:
- このオレンジは搾りたてのジュースにします。 (Kono orenji wa shiboritate no juusu ni shimasu.) – I will make fresh juice from this orange.
- 牛を搾乳するのは大変です。 (Ushi o saku nyuu suru no wa taihen desu.) – Milking a cow is hard work.
4. Synonyms and Antonyms
Similar Kanji:
- 抽 (chuu) – to draw out, which implies a more gentle extraction compared to “搾.”
Antonyms:
- 加 (ka) – to add, which is the opposite of extracting or taking away.
5. Cultural and Historical Background
Relation to Japanese Culture: The act of squeezing or extracting is significant in Japanese culture, especially in food preparation, such as making fresh juices or traditional dishes.
Proverbs and Idioms: There are expressions like “搾り取る” (shiboritoru), which means to extract something to the last drop, often used metaphorically to describe taking full advantage of a situation.