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底 - Let's get to the bottom of 'soko' (Pt. 2 - Vocabulary)

       In part 2 of this study of 'soko', we'll look at 'jukugo' vocabulary. My primary source for this information is the wonderful Kanji-kai dictionary, 4th ed (漢辞海第四版) published by Sanseido (三省堂). As you'll see, the possible uses of "bottom" and "deep" are nearly exhausted by this kanji. Everything is covered, from the bottom of a body of water (水底), to the depths of one's heart (心底).        We'll also see 'soko' in a few technical terms from the fields of medicine, geometry and finance. Terms such as 眼底 for the fundus of the eye, 底辺 for the sides of a trapezoid, and 底本 for funds used in investment.        Additionally, we'll see this kanji's involvement in rich metaphors. For example,  底流 denotes an ocean's undercurrent. B ut this 'jukugo' can also metaphorically describe the emotions or feelings of a person — those which cannot be perceived from outward appearances.        My favorite vocabulary wo...
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底 - Let's get to the bottom of 'soko' (Pt.1 - Definitions)

       My first post spotlights ' soko ', the Japanese word for "bottom." This might seem like an odd selection to begin a kanji study project, but I think it serves symbolically as a great starting line for a lengthy race. My goal with this project is to get to the "bottom" of kanji, to comprehensively highlight each character's meanings, usages, and history. As you'll see with ' soko ', a kanji can function grammatically as multiple parts of speech, with a rich variety of meanings.        I'm also undertaking this project to make more kanji information accessible in English. After studying this material for so long (10+ years), I realize how difficult it can be to find reliable kanji information online that is translated for an English-speaking audience. And with rising prices, it's becoming more and more expensive to purchase dictionaries from Japan.        Part 1 of this lesson will provide a comprehensive look at definitio...
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