Meaning
The kanji 伐 (batsu) primarily means "to cut down," "to fell," or "to chop," especially referring to trees or timber. However, its meaning broadens to include "to attack," "to punish," or "to conquer" an enemy or territory. This suggests both a physical act of cutting and a more aggressive, confrontational action.
Its visual composition offers a strong hint to its meaning. The kanji combines two components: on the left, the radical 人 (ninben), signifying "person" or "human being"; and on the right, 戈 (hoko), which depicts a "halberd" or an ancient weapon. This pairing vividly illustrates a person wielding a weapon, implying actions like striking, cutting, or attacking. This imagery connects directly to felling trees with an axe-like weapon and engaging in combat.
With 6 strokes, 伐 is a Jōyō kanji (常用漢字), meaning it's officially designated for general use. While it isn't taught in a specific elementary school grade, its advanced usage puts it at the JLPT N1 level, where it appears in more complex vocabulary.
Readings
On'yomi (音読み) — Chinese-derived readings
The main On'yomi for 伐 is バツ (batsu). You'll often see this reading in compound words related to cutting, felling, attacking, or conquering. It can convey a formal or even aggressive tone, depending on the specific context.
- 伐採 (bassai) — logging, felling (trees). This is a very common compound, directly referring to felling trees for timber.
- 討伐 (tōbatsu) — suppression, subjugation, punitive expedition. This compound highlights the "attack" or "punish" aspect, often used in historical or military contexts against rebels or enemies.
- 征伐 (seibatsu) — conquest, subjugation, punitive expedition. Similar to 討伐, but often implies a larger-scale military campaign or invasion.
Kun'yomi (訓読み) — Native Japanese readings
The Kun'yomi readings for 伐 tie it more closely to native Japanese verbs. う.つ (utsu) and き.る (kiru) are the most common, though their usage is quite specific.
- 伐つ (utsu) — to strike, to attack, to cut down. As a standalone verb for general cutting, this reading is less common in modern everyday speech. However, it appears in compounds, historical texts, or specific contexts for striking or attacking.
- 伐る (kiru) — to cut down (trees), to fell. This "kiru" specifically refers to felling trees, distinguishing it from 切る (to cut generally) or 斬る (to cut down, slay).
Common Words & Compounds
The kanji 伐 appears in many compounds, primarily relating to forestry, military actions, or even figurative cutting. Below are some key examples, organized by theme:
Forestry and Logging:
- 伐採 (bassai) — logging, felling (of trees).
- 間伐 (kanbatsu) — thinning (of trees), selective cutting.
- 皆伐 (kaibatsu) — clear-cutting, felling all trees in an area.
- 乱伐 (ranbatsu) — indiscriminate logging, overcutting.
- 伐木 (batsuboku) — felled timber, lumbering.
- 伐倒 (battō) — felling (a tree).
Military and Conflict:
- 討伐 (tōbatsu) — suppression, subjugation, punitive expedition.
- 征伐 (seibatsu) — conquest, subjugation, punitive expedition.
- 討伐隊 (tōbatsutai) — punitive force, expeditionary unit.
Other related terms:
- 筆伐 (hitsubatsu) — literary criticism, harsh critique (literally "punishment by pen"). This figurative use demonstrates how the "punish" meaning can extend beyond physical force to intellectual or verbal assault.
Example Sentences
その山では違法な伐採が問題になっている。
Sono yama de wa ihō na bassai ga mondai ni natte iru.
Illegal logging has become a problem in that mountain.
政府は反乱軍の討伐を決定した。
Seifu wa hanrangun no tōbatsu o kettei shita.
The government decided to suppress the rebel forces.
森林を健全に保つためには適度な間伐が必要です。
Shinrin o kenzen ni tamotsu tame ni wa tekido na kanbatsu ga hitsuyō desu.
Moderate thinning is necessary to maintain a healthy forest.
古代の王国は周辺国を次々と征伐した。
Kodai no ōkoku wa shūhenkoku o tsugitsugi to seibatsu shita.
The ancient kingdom conquered neighboring countries one after another.
環境団体は無計画な乱伐に抗議した。
Kankyō dantai wa mukeikaku na ranbatsu ni kōgi shita.
Environmental groups protested against unplanned clear-cutting.
危険な場所にある木は専門家に伐ってもらうべきだ。
Kiken na basho ni aru ki wa senmonka ni kitte morau beki da.
Trees in dangerous locations should be felled by specialists.
歴史書には、その英雄による敵軍の討伐が記されている。
Rekishisho ni wa, sono eiyū ni yoru tekigun no tōbatsu ga shirusarete iru.
The history book records the hero's suppression of the enemy army.
大規模な伐採が地球温暖化の原因の一つとされている。
Daikibo na bassai ga chikyū ondanka no gen'in no hitotsu to sarete iru.
Large-scale logging is considered one of the causes of global warming.
彼は筆伐の才に長けており、鋭い批評を書くことで知られている。
Kare wa hitsubatsu no sai ni takete ori, surudoi hihyō o kaku koto de shirarete iru.
He has a talent for harsh criticism and is known for writing incisive reviews.
Memory Tip
To remember 伐, visualize its components: 人 (person) and 戈 (halberd/weapon). Picture a person powerfully swinging a sharp halberd. This action directly brings to mind cutting down a tree with force, or symbolically attacking an enemy. This vivid image of a person with a weapon engaged in decisive cutting or striking will help you recall both the "cut down" and "attack" meanings.