Meaning
The kanji 暴 (bō) conveys a strong sense of intensity, force, and suddenness. Its core meanings in Japanese include violence, roughness, outburst, and suddenness. In its original sense, it can also imply exposure or revelation.
The etymology of 暴 points to an original meaning of "to expose to the sun." It likely combines components such as 日 (sun) or its variant 曰, 米 (rice), and 廾 (hands). This intense exposure suggests force and abruptness. From this origin, its meaning expanded to include "violence," "roughness," "suddenness," and "outburst." The visual elements — the sun's intensity (日), human action (廾), and something like rice (米) — together evoke dynamic, forceful acts, sometimes with destructive outcomes.
The kanji 暴 has 15 strokes and is considered a Jouyou Kanji (常用漢字), typically learned in junior high school or later, corresponding to an N2 level on the JLPT.
Readings
On'yomi (音読み) — Chinese-derived readings
The on'yomi readings of 暴 are derived from its historical pronunciation in Chinese. For this kanji, the main on'yomi are ボウ (BŌ) and バク (BAKU).
ボウ (BŌ): This is the more common on'yomi and is used in a wide array of words related to violence, roughness, sudden changes, or excess. It conveys a strong sense of force or intensity.
暴力 (bōryoku) — violence, brute force.
暴言 (bōgen) — violent language, abusive language, outburst of anger.
暴走 (bōsō) — running wild, runaway (vehicle), reckless act.
バク (BAKU): This on'yomi is rare, appearing mainly in 暴露 (bakuro), which means exposure, revelation, or disclosure. It directly reflects the kanji's original meaning of "to expose," especially in the context of bringing secrets to light.
Kun'yomi (訓読み) — Native Japanese readings
The kun'yomi readings are native Japanese words whose meanings align with the kanji 暴. They provide more direct, verb-based expressions of the kanji's core meanings.
あば.く (aba.ku): This verb means "to expose," "to disclose," "to unmask," or "to uncover." It directly reflects the "exposure" aspect of 暴, often implying the revelation of something hidden, like a secret or a crime.
秘密を暴く (himitsu o abaku) — to expose a secret.
悪事を暴く (akuji o abaku) — to expose wrongdoing.
あば.れる (aba.reru): This verb means "to act violently," "to rage," "to get out of control," or "to behave wildly." It emphasizes the "violence" and "roughness" meanings of 暴, describing aggressive or uncontrolled behavior.
酒に酔って暴れる (sake ni yotte abareru) — to get drunk and act violently.
勝手に暴れる (katte ni abareru) — to run wild (doing as one pleases).
Common Words & Compounds
The kanji 暴 forms a variety of useful and frequently encountered compound words, highlighting its diverse meanings related to violence, suddenness, and exposure.
Words Describing Forceful or Aggressive Actions
- 暴力 (bōryoku) — violence, brute force.
- 暴行 (bōkō) — assault, outrage.
- 暴言 (bōgen) — violent language, abusive language.
- 乱暴 (ranbō) — rough, rude, violent, reckless.
Words Describing Sudden or Uncontrolled States
- 暴走 (bōsō) — running wild, runaway (vehicle), reckless act.
- 暴騰 (bōtō) — sudden rise (in prices, stocks).
- 暴落 (bōraku) — sudden fall (in prices, stocks), crash.
- 暴風 (bōfū) — gale, storm, strong wind.
Words Describing Exposure and Behavior
- 暴露 (bakuro) — exposure, revelation, disclosure.
- 暴く (abaku) — to expose, disclose, uncover (verb).
- 暴れる (abareru) — to act violently, to rage (verb).
- 暴飲暴食 (bōinbōshoku) — overeating and overdrinking.
- 暴君 (bōkun) — tyrant, despot.
Example Sentences
彼は暴力に反対する平和主義者です。
Kare wa bōryoku ni hantai suru heiwashugisha desu.
He is a pacifist who opposes violence.
昨夜、暴風雨が町を襲い、多大な被害を与えました。
Sakuya, bōfūu ga machi o osoi, tadai na higai o ataemashita.
Last night, a storm (gale and rain) hit the town, causing extensive damage.
その記者は政府の不正を暴き、世間に衝撃を与えました。
Sono kisha wa seifu no fusei o abaki, seken ni shōgeki o ataemashita.
The reporter exposed government corruption, shocking the public.
彼は酒に酔うといつも暴れて、周りの人に迷惑をかけます。
Kare wa sake ni you to itsumo abareru to, mawari no hito ni meiwaku o kakemasu.
When he gets drunk, he always acts violently and causes trouble for those around him.
経済の不安定により、株価が暴落し、市場はパニックに陥りました。
Keizai no fuantei ni yori, kabuka ga bōraku shi, shijō wa panikku ni ochiirimashita.
Due to economic instability, stock prices crashed, and the market fell into panic.
内部告発者は、会社の不正会計をメディアに暴露しました。
Naibu kokuhakusha wa, kaisha no fusei kaikei o media ni bakuro shimashita.
The whistleblower exposed the company's accounting fraud to the media.
あの暴走族の騒音は夜中まで続き、近所の人々を悩ませました。
Ano bōsōzoku no sōon wa yonaka made tsuzuki, kinjo no hitobito o nayamasemashita.
The noise from that biker gang continued until midnight, troubling the neighbors.
健康のためには、暴飲暴食を避けることが大切です。
Kenkō no tame ni wa, bōinbōshoku o sakeru koto ga taisetsu desu.
For your health, it's important to avoid overeating and overdrinking.
どんな状況でも、暴言を吐くのは控えるべきです。
Donna jōkyō demo, bōgen o haku no wa hikaeru beki desu.
No matter the situation, one should refrain from using violent language.
歴史上には、民衆を苦しめた多くの暴君が存在しました。
Rekishi-jō ni wa, minshū o kurushimeta ooku no bōkun ga sonzai shimashita.
Throughout history, there have been many tyrants who tormented the people.
Memory Tip
To remember 暴, break it down: 日 (sun) on top, 米 (rice) in the middle, and 廾 (hands) at the bottom. Picture trying to dry "rice" under the intense "sun" with your "hands." If the sun is too "violent" or you are too "rough" with your hands, the process itself becomes an "outburst" or "sudden" force. This visual ties the elements of exposure (sun, rice) to forceful, potentially violent actions (hands, sudden intensity).