匐
crawl
Strokes11
Readings
On'yomi
- ホク
- フク
Kun'yomi
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Meaning
匐 centers on moving close to the ground: crawling, especially in a prone or creeping manner.
Most common words using 匐
Study
Etymology
匐 combines the enclosure 勹 (wrapping) with 畐, which likely contributes the sound and the idea of fullness or pressing down. The character suggests a body pressed low and moving along the ground.
Meaning mnemonic
The outer 勹 wraps around the inner 畐 like a person curled up and pressed low, crawling along the ground.
Reading mnemonic
For ホク, imagine a hawk crawling low to sneak up on prey: hawk -> ホク, and the bird's low movement matches the crawling meaning.