The beauty of the Japanese language lies in its complexity and profound meaning. Especially with kanji (漢字, kanji), a single character can evoke a wide range of emotions and scenes through its shape and sound. This time, we spotlight one of the commonly used kanji (漢字, kanji) in Japan, “銘 (めい, mei),” and delve into its origin and modern usage. This exploration is not merely a dissection of a character but a journey to rediscover the allure of the Japanese language.
The Origin of “銘 (めい, mei)”
The kanji (漢字, kanji) “銘 (めい, mei)” is composed of the radical “金 (かね, kane),” which means metal, and “名 (めい, mei),” which indicates the sound. This combination gives rise to the original meaning of “刻銘 (こくめい, kokumei)”—engraving a name on metal. In ancient China, bronze vessels often had the names of their creators, the year of production, and celebratory words engraved on them, which is considered the origin of “銘 (めい, mei).”
The Meaning and Usage of “銘 (めい, mei)”
“銘 (めい, mei)” means “to engrave deeply in the heart.” This signifies not only physical engraving but also leaving a deep and lasting impression on the mind. In modern times, it is commonly used to express strong impressions or lessons that remain in the heart, such as in “感銘 (かんめい, kanmei)” and “銘記 (めいき, meiki).”
Reading, Stroke Count, and Radical of “銘 (めい, mei)”
Understanding the kanji (漢字, kanji) “銘 (めい, mei)” requires knowledge of its readings and components.
- Reading: The on’yomi (音読み, onyomi) is “メイ (めい, mei),” and it has no kun’yomi (訓読み, kunyomi).
- Stroke Count: It has a total of 14 strokes.
- Radical: The radical is “金 (かねへん, kanehen; かね, kane),” which means metal.
Idioms, Phrases, and Proverbs Using “銘 (めい, mei)”
“銘 (めい, mei)” is used in many idioms and phrases. Here are some examples:
- 感銘 (かんめい, kanmei): To be deeply moved or impressed.
- 銘記 (めいき, meiki): To remember deeply and not forget.
- 銘打ち (めいうち, meiuchi): To attach a name or slogan, emphasizing it.
- 銘柄 (めいがら, meigara): The name of a product or stock, indicating its quality or characteristics.
Summary of “銘 (めい, mei)”
The kanji (漢字, kanji) “銘 (めい, mei)” is used not only for physical engravings but also to express deep impressions and memories. In Japanese, its usage is particularly seen in expressions that appeal to the heart, such as “感銘 (かんめい, kanmei)” and “銘記 (めいき, meiki).” The power and influence of this single character cannot be overlooked in daily communication. Moving forward, we should continue to understand the profound meaning of “銘 (めい, mei)” and cherish the words we use.
