笆
thorny bamboo, bamboo fence
Strokes10
Readings
On'yomi
- ハ
Kun'yomi
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Meaning
笆 centers on bamboo used as a barrier: thorny bamboo or a bamboo fence. Both meanings share the idea of bamboo forming a protective or dividing structure.
Study
Etymology
笆 combines 竹 (bamboo) with 巴, which likely contributes the sound. The character is used for bamboo fences or thorny bamboo, but the exact historical development of the 巴 component in this context is uncertain.
Meaning mnemonic
The top 竹 is bamboo, and the bottom 巴 looks like a coiled barrier. Picture thorny bamboo stalks woven into a fence that curls protectively like the shape of 巴.
Reading mnemonic
For ハ, imagine a bamboo fence laughing: 'Ha!' The sharp sound of 'Ha!' cues ハ while the fence stands guard.