奉
observance, offer, present, dedicate
Readings
On'yomi
- ホウ
- ブ
Kun'yomi
- たてまつ.る
- まつ.る
- ほう.ずる
Nanori
- とも
- やす
Meaning
奉 centers on the act of respectfully giving or carrying out something for a higher purpose: offering, presenting, dedicating, or observing a duty.
Most common words using 奉
20 of 100- 奉仕ほうしN1
service; ministry; attendance; church work
- 奉納ほうのう
dedication; offering; presentation; oblation
- 信奉しんぽう
belief; faith; adherence; espousal
- 奉公ほうこう
live-in domestic service; live-in apprenticeship
- 奉行ぶぎょう
magistrate; shogunate administrator
- 奉るたてまつるN1
to offer; to present
- 大政奉還たいせいほうかん
restoration of imperial rule
- 奉公人ほうこうにん
servant; employee
- 奉ずるほうずる
to present; to dedicate
- 奉献ほうけん
dedication; presentation; consecration; offer (to a shrine)
- 年季奉公ねんきぼうこう
apprenticeship; indentureship; indenture; indentured servitude
- 奉職ほうしょく
being in the service of; serving at; holding office
- 町奉行まちぶぎょう
(Edo-period) town magistrate
- お礼奉公おれいぼうこう
free service after one has finished one's apprenticeship
- ご奉仕価格ごほうしかかく
bargain price
- キリシタン奉行キリシタンぶぎょう
magistrate in charge of finding out and converting hidden Christians (during the Edo period)
- 丁稚奉公でっちぼうこう
apprenticeship
- 五奉行ごぶぎょう
the five commissioners; administrative organ of feudal Japan established by Toyotomi Hideyoshi
- 仕え奉るつかえまつる
to serve; to build as commanded
- 仰ぎ奉るあおぎたてまつる
to look up
Study
Etymology
奉 originally depicted two hands holding up an object, conveying the idea of offering or presenting respectfully. The modern form retains the hand-like lower part and the object above.
Meaning mnemonic
The top part looks like three strokes held up, and the bottom resembles two hands (大 with extra strokes) lifting something. Picture hands offering a gift upward with care.
Reading mnemonic
For ホウ, imagine a respectful offering made with a formal bow: bow -> ホウ, as you present a gift with a deep bow.