1. Overview of Meaning
The kanji “承” (shou) generally means “to accept,” “to receive,” or “to consent.” It conveys the idea of agreeing to something or taking on a responsibility.
2. Formation and Radical
Formation of the Kanji: The kanji “承” is a compound character (会意文字) that combines elements to convey its meaning. It consists of the radical “手” (hand) at the bottom, which signifies action, and the character “承” itself, which suggests the act of receiving or accepting.
Radical: The radical of “承” is “手” (te), meaning “hand,” indicating that the action involves a physical or metaphorical reception.
3. Examples of Usage
Common Words and Phrases: Some frequently used words that include “承” are:
- 承認 (shounin) – approval, acknowledgment
- 承諾 (shoudaku) – consent, agreement
Example Sentences in Daily Conversation:
- この提案を承認します。 (Kono teian o shounin shimasu.) – I will approve this proposal.
- 彼は私の申し出を承諾しました。 (Kare wa watashi no moushide o shoudaku shimashita.) – He accepted my offer.
4. Synonyms and Antonyms
Similar Kanji: A similar kanji is “受” (ju), which means “to receive.” While both “承” and “受” involve receiving, “承” often implies a more formal acceptance or agreement, whereas “受” can refer to simply receiving something without the connotation of consent.
Antonyms: An antonym of “承” is “拒” (kyo), which means “to refuse” or “to reject.” This represents the opposite action of accepting or consenting.
5. Cultural and Historical Background
Relation to Japanese Culture: The kanji “承” is often used in formal contexts, such as business agreements and legal documents, reflecting the importance of consent and acknowledgment in Japanese culture.
Proverbs and Idioms: One common expression is “承知しました” (shouchi shimashita), which means “I understand” or “I accept,” often used in professional settings to confirm understanding or agreement.