1. Overview of Meaning
The kanji “捨” (sha) means “to discard” or “to throw away.” It conveys the idea of getting rid of something that is no longer needed or wanted.
2. Formation and Radical
Formation of the Kanji: The kanji “捨” is a compound character (会意文字) that combines the radical for “hand” (扌) and the character “舎” (sha), which relates to a house or dwelling. This combination suggests the action of using one’s hand to throw something away.
Radical: The radical of “捨” is 扌, which indicates actions performed by the hand.
3. Examples of Usage
Common Words and Phrases:
- 捨てる (suteru) – to throw away
- 捨て犬 (suteinu) – abandoned dog
- 捨てられた (suterareta) – discarded
Example Sentences in Daily Conversation:
- この古い服はもう着ないから、捨てようと思います。 (I think I will throw away these old clothes since I no longer wear them.)
- 捨て犬を見つけたので、家に連れて帰りました。 (I found an abandoned dog, so I brought it home.)
4. Synonyms and Antonyms
Similar Kanji:
- 廃 (hai) – to abandon or discard, often used in the context of waste or something that is no longer in use.
- 捨 (sha) focuses more on the action of throwing away, while 廃 emphasizes the state of being abandoned.
Antonyms:
- 保つ (tamotsu) – to keep or maintain, which is the opposite of discarding.
- 保存 (hozon) – preservation, which means to keep something safe and intact.
5. Cultural and Historical Background
Relation to Japanese Culture: The concept of “捨” is significant in Japanese culture, where minimalism and decluttering are often emphasized, especially in practices like “kintsugi” and “Marie Kondo’s” tidying philosophy.
Proverbs and Idioms:
- 「捨てる神あれば拾う神あり」 (Suteru kami areba hirou kami ari) – “If there is a god who discards, there is also a god who picks up,” meaning that what is discarded by one may be valuable to another.