Kanji (かんじ) deeply rooted in Japanese culture holds meanings that go beyond mere characters. Each kanji, from its formation to its readings and usage, carries a profound history and story. The kanji “勉” (べん) is no exception. Symbolizing learning and effort, this kanji plays a crucial role in representing our daily endeavors. In this article, we delve into the origins, meanings, usage, and even idioms and proverbs of “勉” (べん).
Origins of “勉” (べん) – Etymology
The kanji “勉” (べん) has evolved from ancient Chinese characters. It is composed of “力” (ちから – power) and “免” (めん – to avoid), originally meaning “to exert power to avoid calamity.” Over time, this kanji shifted to mean “to make an effort,” and today it is commonly used in contexts that encourage diligence and effort.
Meaning and Usage of “勉” (べん)
The kanji “勉” (べん) means “to make an effort” or “to be diligent.” It is widely used in scenes representing effort and diligence in education, work, and daily life. For instance, the word “勉強” (べんきょう – study) signifies the effort put into learning.
Readings, Stroke Count, and Radical of “勉” (べん)
The kanji “勉” (べん) has the following characteristics:
- Readings: On’yomi (音読み) is “ベン” (べん); there is no Kun’yomi (訓読み)
- Stroke count: 10 strokes
- Radical: 力 (ちからへん – power)
Idioms, Proverbs, and Phrases Using “勉” (べん) and Their Meanings
There are numerous idioms, proverbs, and phrases that include “勉” (べん), each conveying the importance of effort and learning. For example, “勉強” (べんきょう – study) represents the effort put into learning, “勉励” (べんれい – diligent effort) signifies making further efforts, and the four-character idiom “自強不息” (じきょうふそく – self-improvement without rest) means to continuously strive to better oneself. These words serve as motivation when striving towards our goals.
Summary of “勉” (べん)
The kanji “勉” (べん) is an important character symbolizing the spirit of effort and learning from its etymology to modern usage. As a common kanji in daily Japanese life, it guides us towards diligence. Through this article, we hope to provide an understanding of the deep meaning and usage of “勉” (べん), and to reaffirm the importance of learning and effort.
