1. Overview of Meaning
The kanji “駅” (eki) means “station” in English. It refers to a place where trains, buses, or other forms of transportation stop to pick up or drop off passengers.
2. Formation and Radicals
The kanji “駅” is a phonetic-ideographic character (形声文字). It is composed of two parts: the left side, which is the radical “阝” (a variant of the radical for “hill” or “mound”), and the right side, “曳,” which provides the phonetic component. Together, they convey the meaning related to a place associated with transportation.
3. Examples of Usage
Common words and phrases that include “駅” are:
- 駅前 (えきまえ, ekimae) – “in front of the station”
- 駅員 (えきいん, ekiin) – “station staff”
- 駅名 (えきめい, ekimei) – “station name”
Example sentence in daily conversation:
「次の駅で降りましょう。」 (つぎのえきでおりましょう。) – “Let’s get off at the next station.”
4. Synonyms and Antonyms
Similar kanji with related meanings include:
- 停留所 (ていりゅうじょ, teiryūjo) – “bus stop” (specifically for buses, while “駅” is for trains)
Antonyms include:
- 出発 (しゅっぱつ, shuppatsu) – “departure” (as “駅” refers to a place where one arrives or departs)
5. Cultural and Historical Background
The concept of a “station” is deeply embedded in Japanese culture, especially with the extensive railway network that connects cities and regions. The importance of stations is reflected in various aspects of daily life, including commuting and travel.
Proverbs and idiomatic expressions related to “駅” include:
- 「駅は人の出会いの場」 (えきはひとのであいのば) – “The station is a place for people to meet.”
This highlights the social aspect of stations as places where people gather and interact.