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Kotomora

茯

type of mushroom

Strokes9

Readings

On'yomi

  • フク
  • ブク
  • ヒ
  • ビ

Kun'yomi

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Meaning

茯 refers to a specific type of mushroom, used in traditional contexts. Its meaning is narrow and botanical, without broader abstract extensions.

Most common words using 茯

  • 土茯苓どぶくりょう

    Smilax glabra (species of sarsaparilla, used esp. to refer to its dried rhizome, used in Chinese medicine)

  • 桂枝茯苓丸けいしぶくりょうがん

    keishibukuryōgan; traditional Chinese medicine prescribed for gynecological disorders

  • 茯苓ぶくりょう

    Poria cocos (species of basidiomycete used in Chinese medicine)

Explore all words using 茯 →

Study

Etymology

茯 combines 艹 (grass/plant) with 伏, which likely provides the sound. The character was created to name a specific medicinal mushroom.

Meaning mnemonic

The top grass radical 艹 suggests a plant, and the bottom 伏 looks like a person lying down. Imagine a mushroom growing low to the ground, almost hidden like a person crouching in the grass.

Reading mnemonic

For フク, picture a mushroom that looks like a fluffy cushion: 'fluff' cues フク, and the mushroom is soft and round.