犎
the zebu, humped-ox
Strokes13
Readings
On'yomi
- ホウ
- フ
Kun'yomi
—
Meaning
犎 refers specifically to the zebu, a type of humped ox. The meaning is a concrete animal name rather than an abstract concept.
Most common words using 犎
- 犎牛ほうぎゅう
zebu; humped cattle
Study
Etymology
犎 combines 封 (seal, enfeoff) and 牛 (cow). The exact historical origin is uncertain, but it likely relates to a specific type of cattle, possibly associated with a region or tribute.
Meaning mnemonic
The top 封 suggests a sealed or designated area, and the bottom 牛 is a cow. Picture a specially marked humped ox kept in a fenced-off enclosure: 犎 is the zebu.
Reading mnemonic
For ホウ, imagine a zebu with a huge hump that looks like a mound (ホウ, ほう). The mound-shaped hump cues ホウ.