1. Overview of Meaning
The kanji “暫” (zan) generally means “temporarily” or “for a short time.” It conveys the idea of something that is not permanent and is subject to change.
2. Formation and Radical
Formation of the Kanji: The kanji “暫” is a compound character (会意文字) that combines elements to convey its meaning. It consists of the components for “sun” (日) and “to stop” (暫), suggesting a temporary pause in time.
Radical: The radical of “暫” is “日” (sun), which often relates to time or light in various kanji.
3. Examples of Usage
Common Words and Phrases: “暫定” (zantei) meaning “provisional” or “temporary,” and “暫く” (shibaraku) meaning “for a while.”
Example Sentence in Daily Conversation: “この仕事は暫くお待ちください。” (Kono shigoto wa shibaraku omachi kudasai.) – “Please wait for this work for a while.”
4. Synonyms and Antonyms
Similar Kanji: “一時” (ichiji) means “temporary” but often implies a more specific time frame compared to “暫.” “仮” (kari) means “temporary” but can also imply something that is not real or is a placeholder.
Opposite Kanji: “永遠” (eien) means “eternity,” representing the opposite concept of something that is permanent and unchanging.
5. Cultural and Historical Background
Relation to Japanese Culture: The concept of temporariness is significant in Japanese culture, often reflected in the appreciation of fleeting beauty, such as in cherry blossoms (sakura).
Proverbs and Idioms: The phrase “時は金なり” (Toki wa kane nari) translates to “Time is money,” emphasizing the value of time, which aligns with the idea of “暫” as something that is transient.