The Kanji ‘飛’ (ヒ): Origins, Meaning, and Usage

Japanese Kanji

Words sometimes have wings, and thoughts fly far away. The 常用漢字(じょうようかんじ)(Jouyou Kanji) “飛(ひ)(hi)” not only depicts the act of something moving through the air but is also used in various forms in our daily lives. In this article, we will delve into the charm of the character “飛(ひ)(hi)”, exploring its origins, meanings, usages, and the idiomatic expressions and proverbs rooted in our language.

Origins of 飛(ひ)(hi)

The kanji “飛(ひ)(hi)” originates from ancient Chinese oracle bone script. Its shape represents the feathers of a bird fluttering in the wind, illustrating the act of something moving through the air. Sometimes, it evokes the image of a bird flapping its wings strongly, conveying a sense of motion, speed, and freedom.

Meanings and Usages of 飛(ひ)(hi)

The kanji “飛(ひ)(hi)” fundamentally relates to actions such as “飛ぶ(とぶ)(tobu)” (to fly) and “飛ばす(とばす)(tobasu)” (to let fly). It is also used metaphorically in words like “飛躍(ひやく)(hiyaku)” (leap) and “飛行(ひこう)(hikou)” (flight). Furthermore, it appears in expressions indicating progress or growth, such as “飛び級(とびきゅう)(tobikyuu)” (skipping grades) and “飛び越える(とびこえる)(tobikoeru)” (to leap over), showcasing its diverse applications.

Readings, Stroke Count, and Radical of 飛(ひ)(hi)

The kanji “飛(ひ)(hi)” has various readings that reflect its rich form and meaning.

  • Readings: In 音読み(おんよみ)(onyomi), it is read as “ヒ(ひ)(hi)”, while in 訓読み(くんよみ)(kunyomi), it is read as “とぶ(とぶ)(tobu)” and “とばす(とばす)(tobasu)” among others.
  • Stroke Count: It consists of 9 strokes.
  • Radical: The radical is “飛(ひ)(hi)”, the same as the kanji itself.

Idioms, Proverbs, and Expressions Using 飛(ひ)(hi)

In Japanese, there are numerous idioms, proverbs, and expressions that include “飛(ひ)(hi)”. For example, “飛行機(ひこうき)(hikouki)” means an airplane, and “飛躍的(ひやくてき)(hiyakuteki)” signifies remarkable progress or improvement. Proverbs like “一石二鳥(いっせきにちょう)(issekinichou)” (killing two birds with one stone) and “青天の霹靂(せいてんのへきれき)(seiten no hekireki)” (a bolt from the blue) also use “飛(ひ)(hi)” to express efficiency or sudden events.

Summary of 飛(ひ)(hi)

The kanji “飛(ひ)(hi)” not only evokes a sense of freedom and movement from its shape but also embodies positive meanings such as growth and progress. Widely used in the Japanese language, this character deeply influences our words, enabling rich expressions. Moving forward, “飛(ひ)(hi)” will continue to play a vital role in conveying our thoughts.

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