跋
epilogue, postscript
Readings
On'yomi
- ハツ
- バツ
Kun'yomi
- おくがき
- ふ.む
Meaning
跋 centers on the idea of a concluding addition to a written work: an epilogue or postscript that follows the main text.
Most common words using 跋
- 跋扈ばっこ
rampancy; prevalence; domination
- 横行跋扈おうこうばっこ
being rampant; (evildoers) roaming at will
- 跋ばつ
epilogue; postscript; envoi
- 跋扈跳梁ばっこちょうりょう
evildoers being rampant and roaming at will
- 跋文ばつぶん
afterword; epilogue; postscript
- 跋渉ばっしょう
wandering
- 距跋渉毛きょけつしょうげ
rope weapon with a sickle on one end and a ring on the other
- 跳梁跋扈ちょうりょうばっこ
being rampant; domination
Study
Etymology
跋 combines 足 (foot) with 犮, which likely contributes the sound. The original meaning relates to treading or stepping, but the modern Japanese use for epilogue/postscript is a semantic extension possibly from the idea of a final step or addition.
Meaning mnemonic
The left side 足 means foot, and the right side 犮 looks like a person stepping forward. Imagine writing a final footnote at the end of a book, as if taking one last step before closing it.
Reading mnemonic
For ハツ, picture a writer adding a postscript to a manuscript and exclaiming 'Hats off!' as they finish: Hats -> ハツ.