捭
to open, to spread out
Strokes11
Readings
On'yomi
- ハイ
- ハ
- ヘイ
Kun'yomi
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Meaning
捭 centers on the action of opening or spreading something out, often by hand. The two given meanings are closely related: to open something is to spread it apart.
Study
Etymology
捭 combines 扌 (hand) with 卑, which likely contributes the sound. The exact historical development of the compound is uncertain, but the hand radical suggests an action performed by hand.
Meaning mnemonic
The hand radical 扌 beside 卑 suggests a hand opening or spreading something. Imagine a hand pushing apart two halves of a folding screen to reveal what is behind.
Reading mnemonic
For ハイ, picture a hand spreading open a high curtain: high -> ハイ, and the hand opens the way.