Meaning
The kanji 補 (補) is a versatile character, conveying core meanings such as 'to supplement,' 'to make up for,' 'to compensate,' and 'to assist' or 'to mend.' It expresses the idea of adding something that is lacking, fixing something that is broken, or providing support to achieve completion or improvement. You'll frequently encounter this kanji in various contexts, from daily conversations about health and resources to more formal discussions in business, politics, and education.
Its structure provides a strong clue to its meaning. The left-hand radical is 衤 (ころもへん), a variant of 衣, which means 'clothing.' The right-hand component, 甫 (ホ), serves primarily as a phonetic element, giving the 'ho' sound. However, 甫 can also convey ideas of 'ample' or 'large,' and historically, it was associated with fields or men. When combined with the 'clothing' radical, this imagery evokes 'mending' or 'patching' clothes to make them whole or usable again. This physical act of repairing a deficiency naturally extends to the abstract meanings of making up for a lack, supplementing a need, or compensating for a fault. Thus, 補 embodies the action of restoring, enhancing, or providing what is missing or insufficient.
With 12 strokes, 補 is a Grade 6 Joyo kanji, meaning it's taught in elementary school as one of the regularly used characters.
Readings
On'yomi (音読み) — Chinese-derived readings
The primary On'yomi for 補 is ホ (ho). This is by far the most common reading, appearing in the vast majority of compound words. It carries the core meanings of supplementing, assisting, or repairing, often in more formal or administrative contexts.
- 補充 (hojū) — supplement, replenishment. This refers to filling up something that has been depleted, such as supplies or staff.
- 補佐 (hosa) — aid, assist. This implies helping someone in a supportive role, like an assistant or aide.
- 補強 (hokyō) — reinforcement, strengthening. Used to make something stronger or more robust, such as a building or an argument.
- 補給 (hokyū) — supply, replenishment. Similar to 補充, it's often used for providing resources like fuel or food.
Kun'yomi (訓読み) — Native Japanese readings
The primary Kun'yomi for 補 is おぎな-う (ogina-u), as seen in the verb 補う. This fundamental and frequently used verb directly translates to 'to compensate for,' 'to supplement,' 'to make up for,' or 'to supply a deficiency.'
- 補う (oginau) — to compensate for, to supplement, to make up for. For example, to make up for a lack of sleep or to supplement one's diet.
- 補い (oginai) — supplement, compensation (noun form). It refers to the act or result of supplementing.
Common Words & Compounds
This kanji forms a wide array of useful compounds, each often highlighting a specific nuance of 'supplementing,' 'assisting,' or 'repairing.'
- 補充 (hojū) — replenishment, supplementation. This term is used when you fill up something that has become insufficient. For example, to replenish stock in a store or to add more members to a team.
- 補給 (hokyū) — supply, replenishment. Often used for providing resources, such as 燃料補給 (nenryō hokyū - fuel supply) or 水分補給 (suibun hokyū - hydration).
- 補償 (hoshō) — compensation, indemnity. This refers to making amends for damage or loss, often financially. For instance, 損害補償 (songai hoshō - damage compensation).
- 補佐 (hosa) — aid, assistance. This signifies a supporting role, often seen in job titles like 補佐官 (hosakan - aide/assistant).
- 候補 (kōho) — candidate, applicant. This combines 候 (season, wait) with 補, implying someone waiting for or having the potential for a position.
- 補強 (hokyō) — reinforcement, strengthening. Used to describe making something stronger, such as 耐震補強 (taishin hokyō - earthquake reinforcement).
- 補修 (hoshū) — repair, mending. This refers to fixing or restoring something, like repairing roads or buildings.
- 補欠 (hoketsu) — substitute, alternate. Often used in sports teams or for elections, like 補欠選手 (hoketsu senshu - substitute player) or 補欠選挙 (hoketsu senkyo - by-election).
- 補語 (hogo) — complement (grammar). In linguistics, this refers to a word or group of words that completes the meaning of a verb or adjective, like in "She is happy" where "happy" is the complement.
- 補聴器 (hochōki) — hearing aid. A device designed to improve hearing.
- 補正 (hosei) — correction, revision. To adjust something to make it correct or accurate, such as 画像補正 (gazō hosei - image correction).
- 補助 (hojo) — assistance, subsidy, aid. Similar to 補佐, but often implies financial or physical aid, such as 補助金 (hojokin - subsidy).
Example Sentences
運動後は水分を補給することが大切です。
Undōgo wa suibun o hokyū suru koto ga taisetsu desu.
It is important to replenish fluids after exercise.
不足分を補うために、追加の注文をしました。
Fusokubun o oginau tame ni, tsuika no chūmon o shimashita.
I placed an additional order to make up for the shortage.
彼は新しいプロジェクトで私を補佐してくれた。
Kare wa atarashii purojekuto de watashi o hosa shite kureta.
He assisted me with the new project.
壁の亀裂を補修する必要がある。
Kabe no kiretsu o hoshū suru hitsuyō ga aru.
It is necessary to repair the cracks in the wall.
来年の市長選挙の有力な候補者です。
Rainen no shichō senkyo no yūryoku na kōhosha desu.
He is a strong candidate for next year's mayoral election.
予算の不足分を補填するために、追加の資金が必要だ。
Yosan no fusokubun o hoten suru tame ni, tsuika no shikin ga hitsuyō da.
Additional funds are needed to make up for the budget deficit.
この記事には、重要な情報を補足する必要がある。
Kono kiji ni wa, jūyō na jōhō o hosoku suru hitsuyō ga aru.
This article needs to be supplemented with important information.
橋の構造を補強して、より安全にしました。
Hashi no kōzō o hokyō shite, yori anzen ni shimashita.
The bridge structure was reinforced to make it safer.
医療費の一部が政府からの補助金で賄われる。
Iryōhi no ichibu ga seifu kara no hojokin de makanawareru.
A portion of medical expenses is covered by government subsidies.
疲れた体を補うために、しっかり休むことが必要です。
Tsukareta karada o oginau tame ni, shikkari yasumu koto ga hitsuyō desu.
It is important to rest well to recover from a tired body.
Memory Tip
To easily remember 補, focus on its components: 衤 (clothing radical, meaning 'clothing') and 甫 (often a phonetic component, but can suggest 'ample' or 'large'). Imagine your favorite piece of clothing (衤) develops a large tear (甫). You need to patch it up, to 'mend' it by 'supplementing' the missing fabric and making it whole again. This image of fixing or completing something deficient directly ties into 補's core meanings: 'supplement,' 'compensate,' and 'mend.' Think of it as: "You need to put something ample (甫) back into your clothes (衤) to make them complete."