篦
spatula, arrow shaft
Strokes16
Readings
On'yomi
- ヘイ
- ハイ
Kun'yomi
- へら
- の
Meaning
篦 centers on a thin, flat tool used for spreading or scraping, like a spatula, and by extension a slender shaft such as an arrow shaft.
Most common words using 篦
- 三手篦羊歯みつでへらしだ
Java fern (Microsorum pteropus)
Study
Etymology
篦 combines 竹 (bamboo) with a phonetic component historically related to 比 and 囗, suggesting a bamboo-made tool. The exact historical development of the lower component is uncertain.
Meaning mnemonic
The top 竹 (bamboo) hints at a bamboo tool, and the lower part looks like a flat blade with a handle. Picture a bamboo spatula for spreading paste or smoothing arrow shafts.
Reading mnemonic
For ヘイ, imagine using a spatula to spread hay on a flat surface: hay -> ヘイ, and the spatula makes the layer even.