叭
open
Strokes5
Readings
On'yomi
- ハツ
Kun'yomi
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Meaning
叭 centers on the idea of opening, especially in the context of a mouth opening or a sound being emitted. It is a rare character whose meaning is closely tied to its visible shape.
Most common words using 叭
Study
Etymology
叭 is a phono-semantic compound: 口 (mouth) suggests the meaning of opening or sound, while 八 (hachi > hatsu) provides the sound. The exact historical development is uncertain, but the component relationship is clear.
Meaning mnemonic
A mouth 口 that is wide open, like the shape of 八 (eight), which looks like two lines spreading apart. Together they show an open mouth.
Reading mnemonic
For ハツ, imagine a mouth opening wide to say "hats!" as a sudden exclamation. The sound "hats" cues ハツ while the mouth opens.