Meaning
The kanji 撲 (boku, utsu) represents the action of striking, hitting, or beating. It often implies a forceful impact, sometimes with the intent to injure, destroy, or repel. Compared to more common kanji for hitting like 打つ (utsu) or 殴る (naguru), 撲 suggests a more decisive, often violent, or thorough strike, frequently leading to a specific outcome such as extermination or a serious blow.
As a phono-semantic compound, 撲's meaning is evident from its structure. The left-hand radical, 扌 (てへん, tehen), is a variant of 手 (te), meaning 'hand,' clearly indicating an action performed by hand. The right side, 菐 (ボク, boku), serves as the phonetic component, suggesting the on'yomi reading 'ボク.' Although 菐 is not a common standalone kanji, it originally depicted a bundle of grass or weeds, or by extension, a thicket. While its primary role here is phonetic, some etymological interpretations connect it to the idea of 'clearing' or 'beating down' vegetation, which aligns well with 撲's 'striking' meaning.
Visually, the 'hand' radical clearly depicts the physical action, with the phonetic part contributing the sound. Together, they evoke the image of a hand performing a forceful action. 撲 has 15 strokes. As an N1 level kanji, it is an advanced character not found in the standard Joyo Kanji list (常用漢字). It is typically encountered by advanced Japanese learners in contexts such as warfare, crime, or public health campaigns.
Readings
On'yomi (音読み) — Chinese-derived readings
ボク (Boku): ボク is the primary on'yomi reading for 撲. It appears in many compound words, often conveying striking, hitting, or even exterminating. This reading generally surfaces in more formal, technical, or specific contexts than other 'hitting' kanji, sometimes carrying a strong, definitive, or even violent nuance. For instance, you'll often encounter it in terms like 害虫撲滅 (gaichū bokumetsu) for pest eradication or 貧困撲滅 (hinkon bokumetsu) for poverty eradication.
- 撲殺 (bokusatsu) — killing by beating; bludgeoning to death. This compound emphasizes the fatal outcome of striking, often used in forensic or crime reporting.
- 撲滅 (bokumetsu) — extermination; eradication; suppression. Here, "撲" takes on the extended meaning of completely beating down or eliminating something, such as pests, diseases, or social problems.
- 打撲 (daboku) — a bruise; contusion; blow; strike. This term is commonly used in medical contexts to describe injuries sustained from a blunt force.
Kun'yomi (訓読み) — Native Japanese readings
うつ (utsu): うつ is used when 撲 functions as a verb, either 撲つ or 撲る. It directly translates to 'to strike' or 'to hit.' While 撃つ (utsu), 打つ (utsu), and 討つ (utsu) are more common for general 'hitting,' 撲つ often implies a more forceful, perhaps violent, or disciplinary strike—such as flogging. It typically carries an archaic or formal tone, appearing in historical texts or specific legal contexts related to corporal punishment.
- 撲つ (utsu) — to strike; to hit; to flog. This is the most common verb form of 撲, particularly when referring to a severe or disciplinary blow.
- 鞭で撲つ (muchi de utsu) — to flog with a whip. This specific usage emphasizes punishment and is often found in descriptions of historical penalties.
- 敵を撲つ (teki wo utsu) — to strike down an enemy. This highlights the forceful, decisive nature of the strike in a combative context, aiming to incapacitate or defeat.
Common Words & Compounds
The kanji 撲 forms part of various compounds, all reflecting its core meanings of striking and eliminating. These terms span medical, social, and even violent contexts, highlighting its specific applications.
- 撲殺 (bokusatsu) — bludgeoning; killing by beating. This term specifically refers to death caused by repeated striking.
- 打撲 (daboku) — a bruise; contusion; blow; strike. Frequently used in medical diagnosis for injuries from impact.
- 撲滅 (bokumetsu) — extermination; eradication; suppression. A widely used term for the complete elimination of something undesirable.
- 害虫撲滅 (gaichū bokumetsu) — pest extermination. A common phrase in agriculture and public health.
- 疫病撲滅 (ekibyō bokumetsu) — epidemic eradication. Refers to efforts to eliminate a widespread disease.
- 貧困撲滅 (hinkon bokumetsu) — poverty eradication. A term used in social development and policy.
- 連撲 (remboku) — continuous striking; repeated blows. Describes a series of impacts.
- 撲つ (utsu) — to strike; to hit; to flog. The verb form, used for direct action of hitting.
- 一撲 (ippoku) — one blow; a single strike. Emphasizes a singular, decisive impact.
- 自らを撲つ (mizukara wo utsu) — to hit oneself; to strike oneself. Can imply self-flagellation or self-punishment.
Example Sentences
彼は虫を撲ち殺した。
Kare wa mushi wo uchi koroshita.
He struck and killed the insect.
この病気を撲滅するため、研究が進められている。
Kono byōki wo bokumetsu suru tame, kenkyū ga susumerarete iru.
Research is progressing to eradicate this disease.
試合中に選手が頭部に打撲を負った。
Shiai-chū ni senshu ga tōbu ni daboku wo otta.
During the game, the player suffered a contusion to the head.
害獣を撲滅するための罠が仕掛けられた。
Gaijū wo bokumetsu suru tame no wana ga shikakerareta.
Traps were set to exterminate the harmful animals.
過去の記録には、鞭で囚人を撲つ刑罰が記されている。
Kako no kiroku ni wa, muchi de shūjin wo utsu keibatsu ga shirusarete iru.
Historical records describe punishments of flogging prisoners with a whip.
その抗議活動は暴動に発展し、警察官との乱闘になった。
Sono kōgi katsudō wa bōdō ni hatten shi, keisatsukan to no rantō ni natta.
The protest escalated into a riot, turning into a brawl with police officers.
彼はその困難な問題を撲滅するため、全力を尽くした。
Kare wa sono konnan na mondai wo bokumetsu suru tame, zenryoku wo tsukushita.
He put all his effort into eradicating that difficult problem.
突然の一撲が彼の意識を奪った。
Totsuzen no ippoku ga kare no ishiki wo ubatta.
A sudden blow deprived him of consciousness.
社会から差別を撲滅することは我々の共通の目標だ。
Shakai kara sabetsu wo bokumetsu suru koto wa wareware no kyōtsū no mokuhyō da.
Eradicating discrimination from society is our common goal.
子どもたちが貧困を撲滅するためのキャンペーンに参加した。
Kodomo-tachi ga hinkon wo bokumetsu suru tame no kyanpēn ni sanka shita.
Children participated in a campaign to eradicate poverty.
Memory Tip
To remember 撲, visualize a hand (扌, the left radical) forcefully hitting something dense or overgrown, like a 'bush' or 'thicket' (represented by the phonetic component 菐 on the right). Imagine striking a thick bush to clear it. The 'hand' radical clearly shows the action, while 菐, visually suggesting dense growth, provides the target and contributes the sound 'ボク' (boku). This combination—a hand (扌) making a boku sound while hitting a dense bush (菐)—vividly connects the components to the kanji's core meaning of striking or beating, often with the goal of removal or elimination.