寳
treasure, jewel, precious, rare
Strokes19
Readings
On'yomi
- ホウ
Kun'yomi
- たから
Nanori
- み
Meaning
寳 centers on something of high value: a treasure, jewel, or anything precious and rare. The meanings all point to an object or quality held in special esteem.
Study
Etymology
寳 is a variant form of 寶. It combines 宀 (roof) with 珎 (a variant of 珍, meaning rare/precious) and 貝 (shell, an ancient currency), suggesting precious items kept under a roof. The exact historical development of this particular variant is uncertain.
Meaning mnemonic
Under a roof 宀, you keep a rare jewel 珎 and a valuable shell 貝: together they represent a treasure.
Reading mnemonic
For ホウ, imagine a treasure chest that you hope to find: hope -> ホウ, and inside is the precious 寳.