逼
urge, force, imminent, spur on
Strokes12
Readings
On'yomi
- フク
- ヒツ
- ヒョク
- ヒキ
Kun'yomi
- せま.る
- むかばき
Meaning
逼 centers on applying pressure to compel action: urging someone forward, forcing a situation, or describing something imminent that closes in and demands a response.
Most common words using 逼
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Etymology
逼 combines 辶 (movement) with 畐, which likely contributes the sound and carries a sense of fullness or pressure, together suggesting pressing forward or closing in.
Meaning mnemonic
The movement radical 辶 surrounds 畐, a shape associated with fullness. Picture a crowd pressing in from behind, forcing you to move forward urgently.
Reading mnemonic
For フク, imagine being forced to wear a bulky fuku (服, clothing) that is too tight, urging you to move and get it off: fuku -> フク.