Meaning
The kanji 墳 (fun) refers to a tomb or mound, particularly an earthen one built over a burial site. It is often used in the context of ancient burial mounds or tumuli, such as those from Japan's Kofun period.
墳 is a phono-semantic compound. It combines the radical 土 (tsuchi), meaning “earth” or “soil,” which signals the kanji's connection to something made of or located on the ground. The phonetic component, 賁 (hin, fun), primarily gives the “fun” (フン) reading. Historically, 賁 could also imply something built up or adorned, aligning well with the idea of a significant, often grand, burial mound.
Thus, the visual form of 墳 vividly portrays its meaning: a prominent burial site or structure made of earth (土). The combination effectively conveys the image of an earthen tomb.
With 15 strokes, 墳 is an advanced kanji. It's not taught in elementary school but is typically encountered at the N1 level of the Japanese Language Proficiency Test.
Readings
On'yomi (音読み) — Chinese-derived readings
The primary on'yomi for 墳 is フン (FUN). This reading appears almost exclusively in compound words, especially those relating to archaeological sites, ancient burial practices, and various types of tombs.
古墳 (kofun) — This is perhaps the most famous compound using 墳. It refers to an ancient tomb or tumulus, particularly those constructed in Japan during the Kofun period (c. 3rd to 7th century CE).
墳墓 (funbo) — Meaning a tomb or a grave in general. This compound is a more formal term for a burial site.
円墳 (empun) — A specific type of ancient tomb characterized by its circular shape.
Kun'yomi (訓読み) — Native Japanese readings
The kun'yomi for 墳 is つか (tsuka). While this reading is listed in dictionaries, 墳 is rarely used as a standalone word in modern Japanese. Instead, 塚 (tsuka) is the kanji predominantly used for “mound” or “hillock.” When 墳 appears, it is almost always read with its on'yomi in compounds.
墳 (tsuka) — In historical texts or specific contexts, 墳 might be read as つか, meaning a mound or tumulus. However, in contemporary usage, 塚 is the standard kanji for this reading and meaning.
Although compound examples where 墳 is read as つか are scarce, understanding this kun'yomi is still valuable. It helps grasp the underlying native Japanese concept of a 'mound' that the kanji embodies, even if this meaning is more commonly expressed through its on'yomi compounds.
Common Words & Compounds
You'll frequently encounter 墳 in words pertaining to history, archaeology, and burial sites. Here's a look at some common compounds, grouped by theme:
Types of Tombs and Burial Mounds
古墳 (kofun) — Ancient tomb, tumulus. Refers specifically to large burial mounds from the Kofun period in Japan.
円墳 (empun) — Circular tumulus. A type of kofun with a round shape.
方墳 (hōfun) — Square tumulus. A type of kofun with a square shape.
前方後円墳 (zenpō kōenfun) — Keyhole-shaped tumulus. A distinctive and iconic type of kofun, unique to Japan, characterized by a square front and a round rear mound.
General Terms for Tombs and Graves
墳墓 (funbo) — Tomb, grave, sepulcher. A general and somewhat formal term for a burial place.
墳丘 (funkyū) — Burial mound, tumulus. Specifically refers to the mound of earth or stone built over a grave.
墳地 (funchi) — Grave plot, burial ground. Less common than 墓地 (bochi) but carries a similar meaning.
Archaeological and Historical Contexts
墳址 (funshi) — Site of a tumulus or tomb. Often used in archaeological reports to denote the location where a burial mound once stood or its remains.
墳墓破壊 (funbo hakai) — Desecration of a tomb. Refers to the act of damaging or disrespecting a grave or burial site.
副葬品 (fukusōhin) — Grave goods, burial accessories. Items placed in a tomb (墳墓) with the deceased.
皇室墳墓 (kōshitsu funbo) — Imperial tomb. While 陵 (ryō) is more specific for imperial tombs, 墳墓 can be used in a broader sense.
Example Sentences
日本には多くの古代の古墳が存在します。
Nihon ni wa ooku no kodai no kofun ga sonzai shimasu.
Many ancient tombs exist in Japan.
彼らは王の墳墓の発掘調査を行った。
Karera wa ō no funbo no hakkutsu chōsa wo okonatta.
They conducted an excavation of the king's tomb.
考古学者が新しい墳丘を発見し、調査を開始した。
Kōkogakusha ga atarashii funkyū wo hakken shi, chōsa wo kaishi shita.
Archaeologists discovered a new burial mound and began their investigation.
上空から見ると、巨大な前方後円墳の形がよくわかる。
Jōkū kara miru to, kyodai na zenpō kōenfun no katachi ga yoku wakaru.
When viewed from above, the shape of the giant keyhole-shaped tumulus is clearly visible.
歴史の授業で、生徒たちは古墳時代の社会について学んだ。
Rekishi no jugyō de, seito-tachi wa Kofun Jidai no shakai ni tsuite mananda.
In history class, the students learned about society during the Kofun period.
あの森の中には、未だ調査されていない円墳があると言われている。
Ano mori no naka ni wa, imada chōsa sarete inai empun ga aru to iwarete iru.
It is said that there is an uninvestigated circular tumulus in that forest.
貴重な副葬品が、その墳墓から見つかった。
Kichō na fukusōhin ga, sono funbo kara mitsukatta.
Valuable grave goods were found in that tomb.
巨大な前方後円墳は、当時の支配者の権力を象徴している。
Kyodai na zenpō kōenfun wa, tōji no shihaisha no kenryoku wo shōchō shite iru.
The giant keyhole-shaped tumulus symbolizes the power of the rulers of that time.
山頂には、誰が築いたのかわからない古い墳が残されていた。
Sanchō ni wa, dare ga kizuita no ka wakaranai furui fun ga nokosarete ita.
An old mound, whose builders are unknown, remained on the mountaintop.
彼は生涯をかけて、各地の古墳を巡り、その謎を解明しようとした。
Kare wa shōgai wo kakete, kakuchi no kofun wo meguri, sono nazo wo kaimei shiyō to shita.
He spent his life traveling to various ancient tombs, trying to unravel their mysteries.
Memory Tip
To remember 墳, break it down into its two components. On the left, you have the radical 土 (tsuchi), which unequivocally means earth or soil. This is key, as any tomb or mound is essentially an earthen structure. The right component, 賁 (fun), serves as the phonetic guide, giving the 'fun' reading. You can visualize a magnificent or splendid (an older meaning of 賁) structure rising from the earth, or simply link the sound 'fun' directly to the concept of a tomb. Imagine a grand mound of earth (土) creating a fitting tomb (墳), and you'll easily recall its primary 'FUN' reading.