譬
illustrate
Strokes20
Readings
On'yomi
- ヒ
Kun'yomi
- たと.える
- たと.え
Meaning
譬 centers on making something clear by comparing it to something else: illustrating a point through analogy or example.
Most common words using 譬
- 譬喩歌ひゆか
metaphorical poem (of the Man'yōshū)
Study
Etymology
譬 combines 辟 (a component associated with law or pattern) with 言 (speech), suggesting using words to set forth a pattern or comparison. The exact historical development is uncertain.
Meaning mnemonic
The top 辟 looks like a ruler or pattern, and the bottom 言 is speech. Imagine using words to lay out a pattern that makes an idea clear: illustrating through comparison.
Reading mnemonic
For ヒ, picture a teacher saying 'He illustrates the point' while pointing at a diagram: 'He' -> ヒ, and the speech 言 below the pattern 辟 makes the illustration.