Meaning
The kanji 包 means wrapping, enveloping, or enclosing something within another thing. It also covers the ideas of bundling items together, packing goods for transport, and figuratively containing or encompassing a broader concept. You will find 包 in settings as varied as gift-wrapping at a department store counter, medical bandaging, kitchen knives, and the concept of tolerant broad-mindedness.
The outer element 勹 — the "wrapping" radical, pronounced tsutsumigamae — depicts a bent figure with arms curved inward, as if embracing or folding around something. Nestled inside is a form representing a fetus or embryo. The classical interpretation is that 包 originally depicted a baby wrapped snugly inside a mother's womb, and that image of total, protective enclosure gave rise to all the modern meanings related to covering and containing.
包 is written with just 5 strokes, making it one of the simpler N2 kanji by stroke count. It is a Grade 4 elementary school character in Japan, so Japanese children typically master it around age 9–10. Despite its early introduction, its compounds appear frequently in adult written and spoken Japanese — especially in commercial, medical, and formal contexts.
Readings
On'yomi (音読み) — Chinese-derived readings
The on'yomi reading of 包 is ホウ (hō), which dominates in compound nouns and is the reading you will encounter most often in formal written Japanese.
- 包装 (hōsō) — packaging, wrapping; the process of encasing goods
- 包囲 (hōi) — encirclement, siege; surrounding something on all sides
- 包括 (hōkatsu) — comprehensive inclusion; embracing all elements within a category
- 包含 (hōgan) — to contain, to include within; often used in academic or logical contexts
- 包帯 (hōtai) — bandage; literally "wrapping band," used in medical settings
- 包容 (hōyō) — broad-mindedness, tolerance; the ability to accept others as they are
Kun'yomi (訓読み) — Native Japanese readings
The kun'yomi reading is つつむ (tsutsumu), the native Japanese verb meaning "to wrap" or "to envelop." This reading appears when 包 functions as a standalone verb or in native Japanese vocabulary. The related noun form つつみ (tsutsumi) refers to a wrapped package or bundle.
- 包む (tsutsumu) — to wrap, to envelop; the core action verb
- 包み (tsutsumi) — a package, a bundle; the wrapped item itself
- 小包 (kozutsumi) — a parcel, a small package; commonly used for postal packages
- 包み紙 (tsutsumigami) — wrapping paper; literally "wrapping paper"
Common Words & Compounds
Here are the most useful compounds, grouped by context.
Everyday & Commercial Wrapping
- 包装 (hōsō) — packaging, wrapping; seen on product labels and at gift counters
- 包装紙 (hōsōshi) — wrapping paper; the paper used to wrap gifts or merchandise
- 小包 (kozutsumi) — parcel, small package; standard term at the post office
- 包み (tsutsumi) — a wrapped bundle; general term for any wrapped item
Kitchen & Culinary
- 包丁 (hōchō) — kitchen knife; the standard Japanese word for any chef's knife
Medical
- 包帯 (hōtai) — bandage; essential vocabulary for hospitals and first aid
- 包帯を巻く (hōtai o maku) — to apply a bandage; a key medical expression
Abstract & Formal Usage
- 包括 (hōkatsu) — comprehensive, all-encompassing; used in legal documents, policy descriptions, and academic writing
- 包括的 (hōkatsuteki) — comprehensive (adjective form); e.g., 包括的な計画 (a comprehensive plan)
- 包含 (hōgan) — to include, to contain; used in logic, mathematics, and formal argumentation
- 包囲 (hōi) — siege, encirclement; used in military history and strategic contexts
- 包容力 (hōyōryoku) — capacity for tolerance, broad-mindedness; a valued personal quality in Japanese culture
- 内包 (naihō) — connotation; the inner meaning contained within a word or concept
Example Sentences
母はプレゼントを丁寧に包んだ。
Haha wa purezento o teinei ni tsutsunda.
My mother carefully wrapped the present.
この店では購入した商品を無料で包装してくれる。
Kono mise de wa kōnyū shita shōhin o muryō de hōsō shite kureru.
This store will wrap your purchased items for free.
郵便局で小包を送った。
Yūbinkyoku de kozutsumi o okutta.
I sent a parcel at the post office.
料理人は鋭い包丁で野菜を切った。
Ryōrinin wa surudoi hōchō de yasai o kitta.
The chef cut the vegetables with a sharp kitchen knife.
看護師は傷口に包帯を巻いた。
Kangoshi wa kizuguchi ni hōtai o maita.
The nurse applied a bandage to the wound.
この契約は包括的な条件を含んでいる。
Kono keiyaku wa hōkatsuteki na jōken o fukunde iru.
This contract contains comprehensive terms and conditions.
彼女は包容力があり、どんな人とも仲良くできる。
Kanojo wa hōyōryoku ga ari, donna hito to mo nakayoku dekiru.
She is very tolerant and can get along with anyone.
敵の軍隊は城を包囲した。
Teki no guntai wa shiro o hōi shita.
The enemy army besieged the castle.
この言葉は複数の意味を内包している。
Kono kotoba wa fukusū no imi o naihō shite iru.
This word contains multiple layers of meaning.
Memory Tip
Look at the shape of 包: the outer stroke 勹 traces a figure bending forward with arms curved inward, as if scooping something up and folding it close to the body. Inside those curved arms sits a small shape — think of the original meaning, a baby curled inside a womb. The whole character is a snapshot of enclosing and protecting. To fix the reading ホウ, imagine someone saying "Ho!" as they wrap their arms around a big package. For the kun'yomi, say つつむ (tsutsumu) aloud while miming the motion of folding cloth around a gift — the soft, repetitive sound feels like layering wraps around an object.