Japanese culture is rich with beautiful characters, one of which is the common Kanji “卓” (たく) (taku). This article explores the character’s origins, meanings, uses, as well as the phrases and idioms that involve “卓”, delving into the depth of this character’s appeal.
Origins of ‘卓’ (たく) (taku)
The Kanji “卓” originated in ancient China, originally depicted as a towering mountain. Over time, it evolved to represent tall stands or desks and further transitioned to signify excellence. This progression is a fascinating example of the inherent evolution of a character.
Meaning and Usage of ‘卓’ (たく) (taku)
In modern Japanese, “卓” primarily denotes physical objects like ‘high stands’ or ‘desks’ and is metaphorically used to express ‘excellence’ or ‘superiority’. It is also used in the verb form “卓する” (たくする) (taku suru), which describes standing out in some aspect.
Readings, Stroke Count, and Radical of ‘卓’ (たく) (taku)
The Kanji “卓” has several readings and structural characteristics in Japanese:
- Readings: On’yomi (Sino-Japanese reading) is “タク” (taku), there is no commonly used Kun’yomi (native Japanese reading).
- Stroke Count: “卓” consists of 8 strokes.
- Radical: The radical is 十 (じゅう) (jū).
Phrases, Idioms, and Proverbs Using ‘卓’ (たく) (taku) and Their Meanings
There are numerous idioms and phrases that include “卓”, each reflecting its connotation of excellence:
- 卓越 (たくえつ) (takuetsu): To excel or be superior to others.
- 卓見 (たくけん) (takken): Outstanding opinion or perspective.
- 卓抜 (たくばつ) (takubatsu): Exceptionally outstanding or excellent.
- 卓球 (たっきゅう) (takkyū): Table tennis, also known as ping-pong.
These idioms and phrases are used in everyday life and business settings, reflecting the ‘excellence’ denoted by “卓”.
Summary on ‘卓’ (たく) (taku)
The Kanji “卓” symbolizes both physical height and metaphorical superiority, finding various uses in the Japanese language. Whether describing physical elevation or metaphorically denoting a person’s or object’s high capabilities, “卓” continues to live in our language, signifying exceptional performance or remarkable talents.
