苹
duckweed, mugwort
Strokes8
Readings
On'yomi
- ヘイ
- ビョウ
- ホウ
Kun'yomi
- ほ
Meaning
苹 centers on small, floating or low-growing plants: duckweed on water and mugwort on land. Both are common, unassuming plants often found in clusters.
Most common words using 苹
- 苹果ひょうか
apple (fruit)
Study
Etymology
苹 combines the plant radical 艹 with 平 (flat/even), likely suggesting a plant that spreads flatly, such as duckweed on water or low mugwort. The exact historical development is uncertain.
Meaning mnemonic
The grass top 艹 over 平 (flat) suggests a plant that grows flat and even: duckweed covering a pond or mugwort spreading low across the ground.
Reading mnemonic
For ヘイ, picture a flat plain of duckweed stretching to the horizon, and say 'Hey!' to a friend across the water: Hey -> ヘイ.