Meaning
The kanji 博 (HAKU, BAKU) carries a range of core meanings related to 'broadness,' 'extensiveness,' and 'expertise.' Fundamentally, 博 signifies something vast, wide-ranging, or encompassing a great deal. This core idea branches into several important applications. For instance, it can describe knowledge that is extensive or universal, leading to terms like 'extensive learning' or 'a person of wide knowledge.' This concept of deep, broad expertise naturally extends to the academic title of 'doctor' or 'PhD scholar,' as seen in 博士 (hakase).
Interestingly, 博 also conveys a meaning related to 'gambling' or 'betting.' While this might seem distinct from 'broad knowledge,' you can understand it by thinking of 'spreading out' a bet or 'risking widely.' Gambling often involves dealing with numerous possibilities and outcomes. The kanji itself combines the radical 十 (jū), meaning 'ten' or 'many,' with the phonetic component 甫 (fú or bǔ in Chinese), which suggests 'spreading' or 'greatness.' Together, 十 and 甫 evoke the image of something 'spread out extensively' or 'involving many' things—be it knowledge, fields of study, or stakes in a game.
The kanji 博 has 12 strokes and is a Jōyō Kanji, meaning it's part of the officially recognized list of characters for general use. Although not assigned to a specific elementary school grade, students typically learn it in junior high or high school, making it an N1 level kanji for the JLPT.
Readings
On'yomi (音読み) — Chinese-derived readings
The on'yomi readings of 博 come from its original Chinese pronunciation and are primarily used when 博 appears as part of a compound word.
- ハク (HAKU)
This is the more common on'yomi, appearing in words related to 'broadness,' 'expertise,' and 'institutions.' It often implies universality, extensive scope, or profound knowledge.
博士 (hakase) — doctor, PhD, professor. This is a frequently encountered and key term.
博物館 (hakubutsukan) — museum. A place housing a broad collection of items.
博識 (hakushiki) — extensive knowledge, erudition. Describes someone who knows a great deal.
博覧会 (hakurankai) — exposition, fair. An event exhibiting a wide range of things.
バク (BAKU)
This reading is specifically associated with the meaning of 'gambling' or 'betting.' Although less common than ハク, it's essential for grasping this particular nuance of 博.
賭博 (tobaku) — gambling, betting. This compound exclusively uses the バク reading.
博打 (bakuchi) — gambling, a gamble. A more colloquial term for gambling.
博徒 (bakuto) — gambler. A person who gambles.
Kun'yomi (訓読み) — Native Japanese readings
Unlike many kanji, 博 does not have a commonly used standalone kun'yomi (native Japanese reading). It primarily appears within compound words, where its meaning is conveyed through its on'yomi readings. While you might encounter it in the verb 博する (hakusuru), meaning "to gain (popularity, knowledge)," or in place names like 博多 (Hakata), these aren't considered standard kun'yomi in the same way other kanji have native Japanese verb or adjective forms.
Common Words & Compounds
The kanji 博 appears in numerous essential Japanese compounds, encompassing its diverse meanings related to broadness, knowledge, and even risk.
Knowledge and Expertise
- 博士号 (hakushigō) — Doctorate degree. The academic title awarded after completing a PhD program.
- 博学 (hakugaku) — Extensive learning, erudition. Describes someone with vast knowledge across many fields.
- 博聞 (hakubun) — Extensive learning, wide knowledge. Similar to 博学, emphasizing the act of hearing or reading widely.
- 博覧強記 (hakurankyōki) — Wide reading and good memory. Describes a person who reads extensively and remembers everything well.
Institutions and Events
- 国際博覧会 (kokusai hakurankai) — International exposition, World's Fair. A large-scale international exhibition.
- 万国博覧会 (bankoku hakurankai) — World's Fair (archaic term). Another term for an international exposition.
Actions and Concepts
- 博愛 (hakuai) — Philanthropy, universal love. Love and benevolence towards all humanity.
- 博する (hakusuru) — To gain (popularity, knowledge), to win (a bet). This is a rare suru-verb form of 博.
Gambling Related
- 賭博罪 (tobakuzai) — Crime of gambling. Legal term for illegal gambling activities.
- 博打打 (bakuuchi) — Gambler. A person who habitually gambles.
Place Names (Special Readings)
- 博多 (Hakata) — A district in Fukuoka city, famous for its ramen and historical significance. Note its special reading here.
Example Sentences
彼は博識で、どんな質問にも答えることができる。
Kare wa hakushiki de, donna shitsumon ni mo kotaeru koto ga dekiru.
He is very knowledgeable and can answer any question.
子供たちは博物館で恐竜の骨格に驚いた。
Kodomo-tachi wa hakubutsukan de kyōryū no kokkaku ni odoroita.
The children were amazed by the dinosaur skeleton at the museum.
彼女は文学の博士号を取得した。
Kanojo wa bungaku no hakushigō o shutoku shita.
She obtained a doctorate degree in literature.
この都市では賭博が法律で禁じられている。
Kono toshi de wa tobaku ga hōritsu de kinjirarete iru.
Gambling is prohibited by law in this city.
博覧会は来月開催される予定だ。
Hakurankai wa raigetsu kaisai sareru yotei da.
The exposition is scheduled to be held next month.
博多駅は福岡の主要な交通拠点です。
Hakata-eki wa Fukuoka no shuyō na kōtsū kyoten desu.
Hakata Station is a major transportation hub in Fukuoka.
彼はその事件で世間の同情を博した。
Kare wa sono jiken de seken no dōjō o hakushita.
He gained public sympathy in that incident.
その慈善団体は博愛主義の精神に基づいている。
Sono jizen dantai wa hakuai shugi no seishin ni motozuite iru.
That charity organization is based on the spirit of philanthropy.
昔の時代劇には、しばしば博打を打つ博徒が登場する。
Mukashi no jidaigeki ni wa, shibashiba bakuchi o utsu bakuto ga tōjō suru.
Old historical dramas often feature gamblers who play games of chance.
Memory Tip
To remember 博, let's break it down. It consists of 十 (jū), meaning 'ten' or 'many,' at the top, and 甫 (fú or bǔ in Chinese), meaning 'spread out,' 'father,' or 'great,' on the right. Imagine a brilliant doctor (博) with ten (十) different broad fields of knowledge, who spreads (甫) his expertise extensively across the world. For the 'gambling' meaning, alternatively, picture a gambler (博) who spreads (甫) ten (十) large piles of chips all over the table, hoping for a broad win! The concept of 'many' or 'widespread' is central to both interpretations.