捌
handle, deal with, dispose of, sell, be in demand, be worldly, be frank, be sensible, be sociable, drainage, sale, demand for, eight
Readings
On'yomi
- ハツ
- ハチ
- ベツ
Kun'yomi
- さば.く
- さば.ける
- は.け
Meaning
捌 centers on actively managing something so it flows smoothly: handling tasks, dealing with people, disposing of goods, or selling items that are in demand. The idea of drainage and the number eight are less common applications of this same managing/flowing concept.
Most common words using 捌
- 捌くさばく
to handle well; to handle deftly
- 捌きさばき
handling (e.g. knife, reins); control; use; -work (e.g. footwork)
- 捌けはけ
drainage; draining
- 捌けるさばける
to sell well; to sell out
- 捌けるはけるN1
to drain; to flow (unobstructed); to run off
- 捌け口さばけぐち
market (for goods); outlet
- 体捌きたいさばき
defensive body movement (judo, kendo, etc.)
- 前捌きまえさばき
battling to knock away the hands of one's opponent, in order to achieve an advantageous position
- 取り捌くとりさばく
to settle (a matter)
- 売り捌きうりさばき
selling
- 捌かすはかす
to drain away
- 掻っ捌くかっさばく
to cut; to slit; to cut open
Study
Etymology
捌 combines 扌 (hand) with 别, which likely contributes the sound and the idea of separating or dividing. The character suggests using hands to sort, manage, or distribute things.
Meaning mnemonic
A hand 扌 beside 别, which looks like a mouth 口 and a knife 刂, suggests using your hands to talk and cut through tasks: handling, dealing with, and disposing of things smoothly.
Reading mnemonic
For ハツ, imagine a manager handling a sudden rush of demand by putting on a hat and getting to work: hat -> ハツ, and the hand 扌 quickly deals with everything.