1. Overview of Meaning
The kanji “囚” (shuu) means “to imprison” or “to capture.” It is often associated with the concept of confinement or being held against one’s will.
2. Formation and Radical
Formation of the Kanji: The kanji “囚” is a compound character that combines elements to convey its meaning. It consists of the radical “囗” (enclosure) and the character “人” (person), symbolizing a person being enclosed or trapped.
Radical: The radical for “囚” is “囗,” which indicates something that is enclosed or surrounded.
3. Examples of Usage
Common Words and Phrases: Some common words that include “囚” are “囚人” (shuu-jin), meaning “prisoner,” and “囚われる” (shuu-ware-ru), meaning “to be imprisoned.”
Example Sentences in Daily Conversation:
- 彼は無実の囚人です。 (Kare wa mujitsu no shuu-jin desu.) – He is an innocent prisoner.
- 彼女は囚われた心を解放したい。 (Kanojo wa shuuwareta kokoro o kaihou shitai.) – She wants to free her imprisoned heart.
4. Synonyms and Antonyms
Similar Kanji: A similar kanji is “捕” (ho), which means “to catch” or “to seize.” While both involve capturing, “囚” specifically refers to imprisonment, whereas “捕” can refer to capturing in a broader sense.
Antonyms: An antonym for “囚” is “自由” (jiyuu), meaning “freedom.” This represents the opposite concept of being confined.
5. Cultural and Historical Background
Relation to Japanese Culture: The concept of imprisonment has historical significance in Japan, particularly in relation to the justice system and societal views on crime and punishment.
Proverbs and Idioms: One relevant idiom is “囚われの身” (shuuware no mi), which means “a person in captivity,” often used metaphorically to describe someone who feels trapped in a situation.