One of the rich expressions of the Japanese language is kanji. Among them, the common-use kanji “議” (gi) is widely used from politics to everyday conversation. This article delves into the charm of “議” (gi), exploring its origin, meanings, usage, and related idioms and proverbs. We hope this helps you gain a deeper understanding of Japanese written culture.
Origin of the Kanji “議” (語源)
The kanji “議” (gi) is one of the characters formed in ancient China. It combines the radical “言” (げん, gen), meaning words or speech, with “義” (ぎ, gi), meaning righteousness or duty. This combination gives “議” (gi) the meaning of discussing and arriving at a correct judgment through words. Historically, it has been used to indicate the process of reaching agreements and making decisions among people.
Meaning and Usage of “議” (gi)
The primary meaning of “議” (gi) is “to discuss” or “to deliberate.” In the political arena, it appears in words like “議会” (ぎかい, gikai, parliament) and “議論” (ぎろん, giron, debate), referring to the process of exchanging opinions to make decisions. In daily life, it can be seen in terms like “議題” (ぎだい, gidai), indicating the topic or purpose of a discussion.
Reading, Stroke Count, and Radical of “議” (gi)
The kanji “議” (gi) is used in various readings in Japanese, with the basic information as follows:
- Reading: The on-yomi (Chinese reading) is “ギ” (gi); there is no kun-yomi (Japanese reading).
- Stroke count: 20 strokes.
- Radical: 言 (ことばへん, kotobahen), meaning words.
Idioms, Proverbs, and Expressions Using “議” (gi)
There are many idioms, proverbs, and expressions that include the kanji “議” (gi), each illustrating the richness of Japanese expression. Here are a few examples:
- 議会 (ぎかい, gikai) – An assembly or institution where opinions are exchanged and decisions are made.
- 議論 (ぎろん, giron) – The process of exchanging opinions and discussing a topic.
- 議題 (ぎだい, gidai) – The theme or issues to be discussed in a meeting or discussion.
- 協議 (きょうぎ, kyougi) – The act of discussing and coordinating opinions with others.
- 審議 (しんぎ, shingi) – Deliberating or discussing matters carefully to make decisions.
Summary on “議” (gi)
The kanji “議” (gi) plays a very important role in Japanese. From exchanging opinions in conversations to making political decisions, this character is used in various scenes, guiding us to a deeper understanding of culture and language. We hope this article helps deepen your understanding of “議” (gi) and encourages you to enjoy the richer world of Japanese.
