賁
decorate
Strokes12
Readings
On'yomi
- フン
- ヒ
- ホン
Kun'yomi
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Meaning
賁 centers on adding ornament or embellishment: to decorate or adorn something, making it more visually striking.
Most common words using 賁
- 山火賁さんかひ
bi (hexagram 22 of the I Ching: grace)
Study
Etymology
賁 combines 卉 (a cluster of plants) with 貝 (shell/money), but the exact historical development is uncertain. It may have originally depicted something adorned or valuable, leading to the meaning 'decorate'.
Meaning mnemonic
Picture a cluster of plants (卉) placed over a precious shell (貝) as a decorative arrangement. The combination turns plain objects into something adorned.
Reading mnemonic
For フン, imagine decorating a room with fun, colorful streamers: fun -> フン, and the decorations make the space lively.