椨
type of evergreen camphor tree, (kokuji)
Strokes12
Readings
On'yomi
—
Kun'yomi
- たぶ
- たふ
Meaning
椨 is a kokuji (Japan-made kanji) that names a specific type of evergreen camphor tree. Its meaning is narrow and botanical, without broader abstract extensions.
Most common words using 椨
- 椨たぶのき
Machilus thunbergii (species of laurel)
Study
Etymology
椨 is a kokuji formed by combining 木 (tree) with 府, which likely contributes the sound フ to approximate the Japanese name たぶ. The exact historical development is uncertain.
Meaning mnemonic
The tree radical 木 beside 府 points to a specific tree. Imagine a government office (府) with a distinctive evergreen camphor tree growing beside it, marking it as the たぶ tree.
Reading mnemonic
For たぶ, picture a tabby cat napping under the evergreen camphor tree: tabby -> たぶ, and the tree's shade keeps it cool.